Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Commons Chamber

Thursday 29th January 2026

(began 1 week, 1 day ago)

Watch Live
Skip to latest contribution
This debate has concluded

09:34

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

The The order. The order. We The order. We start The order. We start with The order. We start with questions. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Nick Smith. Number one, Trade Nick Smith. Number one, please, Mr. Speaker. Minister.

09:34

Q1. What steps he is taking to help reduce industrial energy costs. (907553)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government recognises the

09:34

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

challenges of high industrial energy costs, where raising the discount on electricity network discount on electricity network charges from 60% to 90% under the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from April. Supporting Scheme from April. Supporting around 550 electricity intensive businesses. We also plan to review eligibility for the British industry, supercharger and the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme this year from 2027, the British Industrial 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut electricity costs by around 35 to £40 per megawatt hour for around 7000 manufacturing businesses.

09:34

Nick Smith MP (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, Labour)

- -

Nick Smith. Can I thank the >> Nick Smith. Can I thank the Minister for that answer? Mr. speaker, under the last conservative government, we had the conservative government, we had the soaring energy costs and the highest industrial energy bills in Europe. Now under labour manufacturers, including in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney have seen costly levies taken out. So for the future, can the Minister please outline what else the government can do to further bring energy bills down for our UK industry?

09:35

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for his question and also for championing the businesses also for championing the businesses in his constituency, including Jess Asato Battery Manufacturing in Gwent, which is receiving support from the supercharger, exempting them from several renewables levies and electricity network usage costs. This is all part of the government's clean energy superpower mission, which will cut costs, boost energy security and accelerate grid connections.

09:35

Rt Hon Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP (Wetherby and Easingwold, Conservative)

- -

So Shelbrooke. got a fantastic company in my constituency, UK. Sorry, Yorkshire Brick Company. Unfortunately it had to go into administration but was rescued and the problem was as welcome as the supercharger scheme is, is that it didn't qualify because it didn't meet the business level test, so it didn't get any government support. So can I ask the government to talk directly to ceramic manufacturers who are huge users of electricity, gas and various other products? Because often if we're exporting the product to have made elsewhere, the carbon footprint is much bigger than having it done locally.

09:36

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and he knows that I share his concern around the ceramics industry. He's quite right that many ceramics companies fail to qualify for the supercharger scheme. There is a review of the supercharger this year, and I've asked officials to look very carefully at the potential for including ceramics companies, in that I discussed this with the ceramics industry at an event in Parliament this week, and which he also attended, and I think the Yorkshire Brick Company were in attendance, too at that meeting.

And I can also inform him that I and my hon. Friend, the Minister for trade, will be meeting further with Ceramics Industries in the near future.

09:37

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Andrew Snowden. >> From April, every pub and live music venue. >> Will get. >> 15% off its new business rates bill, on top of the £4.3 billion support announced in the Budget. Bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years. We've also raised the employment allowance from £5,000 to 10,500, so 865,000 employers will pay no National Insurance contributions this year. And we're also going to allow pubs to open more, not only in England and Scotland during the World Cup because they've already qualified, but I hope that Wales will qualify as well, so we'll be able to do that in Wales as well.

09:37

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

- -

Richard Holden thank you very >> Richard Holden thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, from the Queen's in Witham to the hot shop in Saint Anne's, to the hand and dagger in Anne's, to the hand and dagger in trails and the thatched House in Poulton, we are blessed with many wonderful pubs in the Fylde constituency, but they were hit very, very hard by the changes to National Insurance and the looming business rates. Changes that will hit them hard have many of them worried and some of the changes that have been announced are welcome, but will not go as far as mitigating all of the increases in costs that pubs are facing.

So what more plans do the government have Fylde?

09:38

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Well, I note his support for pubs in his constituency. It's pubs in his constituency. It's obviously intense. He he basically took us through a pub crawl there and I would just say that if he's looking for a Valentine's Day dinner, perhaps with his wife, that the the coach and Horses in Freckleton is offering two mains and two drinks for £25.99. But we'll keep it quiet just so that it's a surprise for his wife or whoever

**** Possible New Speaker ****

else he takes. His wife.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Maybe. Maybe, Mr. Speaker, you're going to be taking his wife to the coach and horses. Who knows? to the coach and horses. Who knows? Look, look, we on a on a very serious point. We are fully aware of the problems that have been of the problems that have been facing pubs and live music venues for a considerable period of time, with live music venues. That's one of the reasons why we've been of the reasons why we've been trying to encourage arena tickets to to put an extra £1 on the ticket on a voluntary basis, so as to be able to support live music venues.

We also want to, and I'm conscious that over the years many pubs have closed. He wasn't in the house under the previous administration, but some 7000 pubs closed in those 14 years. It was, it was something like one every 14 hours. So we're

**** Possible New Speaker ****

conscious of the problems. We want to do everything we can to help. Rachel Blake.

09:39

Q3. What steps he is taking to increase trade with the European Union. (907555)

>> Question number three, Mr Speaker. >> Prime Minister Mr Speaker. 46% of the UK's trade is with the EU.

09:39

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

of the UK's trade is with the EU. But we want to do far, far better achieving as frictionless trade with the European Union as is with the European Union as is possible. We are in the process of fine tuning the deal we reached last year on food and drink and negotiating on joining the single negotiating on joining the single electricity market. We want to improve business mobility and secure the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and we've just appointed three new trade envoys, one for France, one for Germany and Italy as part of our exports drive Rachel Blake.

09:40

Rachel Blake MP (Cities of London and Westminster, Labour )

- -

Thank you very much. Speaker. Mr. speaker, I listened carefully Mr. speaker, I listened carefully to the Minister's response. I'm very encouraged by the progress that is being made. Can the Minister advise on when he expects the UK EU summit to take place? Is he expecting there to be completion of negotiations on sanitary and Phytosanitary and the Youth Experience Scheme, and can he update on their approach to touring artists to help make sure that they can get access to EU markets? It would make such a difference to the thriving cultural scene in the West End.

09:40

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Minister. >> In relation to touring artists, we're absolutely determined to secure this, not least because we I personally have promised Elton John personally have promised Elton John that we will secure this, as has the Prime Minister. So look, I see the hon. Member Chuntering over there. I think he's bidding to be a trade envoy for some country. If he'd like to come and talk to me later, we'll have a discussion about it. But but look, the truth of the matter is we we had a terrible deal with the European Union.

We need to improve it. We are working at pace to try and deliver that. I want British businesses to be able to export without friction into the European market, because we know that that is good for British business. Max Wilkinson thank you, Mr. Speaker. The business Secretary on the weekend raised some eyebrows by suggesting that MPs pay should be

09:41

Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)

- -

linked to economic growth. Who does the Trade Minister think should get the biggest pay rise? Conservatives and reform, who've probably knocked up to 8% off our GDP. Perhaps Labour MPs who are contributing to as much as 0.5% with all of their accumulated trade deals, including accumulated trade deals, including with the EU or Lib Dem MPs, who are suggesting a customs union which

**** Possible New Speaker ****

could put 2.2% 000. I think I think we can let it go. I can't even begin to see a link.

09:42

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Sarah Olney. Mr. speaker, Liberal Democrats are calling for a Liberal Democrats are calling for a new UK EU customs union which will cut red tape still. Still, we are cut red tape for businesses across the country, boost growth by more than 2.2% and raise at least £25 billion a year in tax revenue. The Prime Minister's chief economic adviser has recommended a customs union with the EU as one of the most effective ways of generating growth. The health Secretary has talked up the benefits of a customs union, and the deputy Prime Minister has also suggested that countries within a customs union tend to see stronger economic growth.

But the Secretary of State for Business and Trade told the Ft last week that negotiating a customs union would be foolish. Could the Minister please explain what the what the Secretary of State, how the Secretary of State plans to deliver growth without customs Union Minister? Look.

09:42

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

I she knows I think that Brexit was a terrible mistake. It was a self-inflicted mistake. And and we need to make sure that we achieve what was promised by the Brexiteers, what was promised by the Brexiteers, some of whom are sitting opposite me now, when they said that we were going to achieve frictionless trade with the European Union as a result of our deal. Now, I think that we can first of all do that on food. And when we secure our deal, we're working on electricity market as well.

And then we need to proceed with trying to ensure business mobility so that people can travel across the European Union. And as I said, we need to make sure that British artists, performers can perform across the whole of the European Union. But I have to say, it feels, I hate to use the term Groundhog Day in relation to the Lib Dems. The thing is, I can remember when they were in government, oh Lord no. Well, quite. You see, this is the problem.

The Lib Dems never remember when they were in government and they landed us with half the problems that we're trying to sort out today.

09:43

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Jessica Toale. >> Mr Speaker Minister. Mr. speaker, the government is committed to supporting growth in coastal areas such as Bournemouth West. Our such as Bournemouth West. Our partnership between Business Growth Dorset and the new Business Growth Service makes it easier for firms to access tailored support. DBT is also strengthening the conditions for investment and helping high value sectors like advanced engineering, aerospace and digital industries expand through national programmes supporting investment, exports and innovation. Alongside Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's economic strategy, we will ensure that Bournemouth's businesses benefit fully from UK wide measures to boost economic growth.

09:44

Jessica Toale MP (Bournemouth West, Labour)

- -

Jessica Toale can I thank the Minister for that answer? Mr Speaker Bournemouth and Poole rightly have reputations as premier rightly have reputations as premier tourism and leisure destinations, but less well known is our leadership in the digital and creative industries. Two businesses in my Bournemouth West constituency, Content ignite and I have both been ranked in the top 50 fastest growing tech businesses in Britain by The Sunday Times. So could the Minister Minister please expand on how this government is supporting fast growing, high value industries in coastal towns like mine Minister?

09:45

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm due to come to her constituency in a come to her constituency in a little over a month and I do like to be beside the seaside. And often we think of constituencies like hers as tourism and hospitality hotspots. But as she has just said, it is also a hive for the creative industries, which she's such a champion for. Through the £380 million creative industry sector plan, we are boosting innovation skills and access to finance nationwide, helping firms, particularly in her constituency.

And she will know that in her area, businesses also benefit from such a strong talent pipeline coming from her area's great universities, and I look forward to working with her and learning more when I visit soon.

09:45

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

- -

Jim Shannon you very much, Mr. Speaker. Can I thank the Minister for his answers? A very for his answers? A very constructive, very positive, very helpful Minister. My constituents Strangford the local council, Ards and North Down Council. Their thrust of of their economic growth strategy is, is tourism and there's been many dividends in that. So it's important that all across the United Kingdom of Great Britain, we have the chance to advance and do better. The Minister maybe hasn't had the opportunity to talk to the local Minister, that be Gordon Lyons, I think, at the Northern Ireland Assembly, to to address this issue.

Could I suggest, I hope that he would do so and thereby we can all gain from the Minister's knowledge and what we're doing back home.

09:46

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Will Forster. Well, Mr. Speaker, I had a fantastic family holiday in Northern Ireland, driven by my Northern Ireland, driven by my son's obsession with the Titanic, had a very moving visit there. I've met with my my opposite number for small businesses from Northern Ireland, and I'm very happy to have the discussion that you suggest.

09:46

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Question number five. >> Mr. Speaker, the UK is the fourth largest exporter in the world and the second largest in world and the second largest in services. But we want to do even better. That's why we're pushing forward on new trade deals to cut barriers for UK businesses, strengthening the UK export finance, providing tailored market advice and targeting resources so that businesses can really take advantage of those deals. Jen Craft.

09:47

Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )

- -

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm grateful to the Minister for meeting with myself and a representative from Watson Marlow, a business in my constituency last a business in my constituency last week to discuss barriers to export. Many businesses I've spoken to have been frustrated about the difficulty of moving people, goods and equipment to Europe post Brexit and they face significant additional costs and admin, Fugro and Pendennis Yachts have both raised with me issues they've experienced with securing visas for their staff on short term offshore projects.

What steps can the Minister take with colleagues at the Home Office to ensure that some of these barriers are reduced?

09:47

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Mr. >> Mr. >> Well, first of all, I want to say it was great that she was able to come along with other MPs who are bringing individual are bringing individual constituents, constituent businesses along, because one of the things I really want to do as Minister for trade is, is try to persuade all 650 colleagues to come along with individual businesses, to work out where there are barriers to export and to try and encourage an export growth. I think if we could release all the MPs who probably know their businesses and their constituents in their constituencies far better than the department does, then we would really drive forward export growth.

She's absolutely right. There are issues around visas and business mobility, which we need to address. It's one of the things that both the Home Office and we are discussing with our European allies, we need to do better on this, and we also need to get to a place where we have mutual recognition of professional qualifications so that people can simply transact their business more effectively. With reference to what Minister said earlier about.

09:48

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

- -

Trade and investment envoys, can I perhaps remind him I was a trade and investment envoy to Georgia and Armenia some years ago? The problem is that the trade and investment envoys now are pretty much all Labour, where previously under all prime Ministers it was cross-party because. So can I suggest perhaps the government should revisit the strength of having a cross-party approach that might help business exports. He very publicly offered I think unless I misheard for me to become a trade envoy again, if I was approached, I might do that.

But on a serious point, Mr. Speaker, can I just ask on UK export finance in high risk investment areas such as rebuilding Syria, getting jobs and investment into that country very quickly, that UK export finance should underwrite with investments?

09:49

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Yeah. he's applied doesn't necessarily mean he's going to get the job. But secondly, I he makes a very good point about UK export finance in particular in areas war torn areas and difficult areas. That's why we've set a specific amount of money aside for Ukraine. I was delighted to be in Kyiv best part of ten days ago. Where where the Russian government is, I would argue, engaging in war crimes by deliberately targeting the heating system in the city. And many elderly and vulnerable people have no heating, no electricity, no access to water.

I was very proud to see Scottish Steel and British architects designing the bridges that are helping Ukrainians get to work again, after the bridges were blown up when the Russians tried to evade invade as part of the full scale invasion. So he makes a very good point about export finance. I've also had discussions about how we can roll that out in relation to Syria as well. Speaker.

09:50

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

- -

Last week I visited the brilliant family run clerk door brilliant family run clerk door company in my Carlisle constituency clerk Door design, manufacture and export right across the globe, supplying venues like the Tate Modern, the Qatar National Centre, and topically, as we approach next weekend's Super Bowl, the NFL Media Centre in New York. Can I ask the Minister what support the government can give to exporters like clerk Door, so that their pioneering R&D ensures their continued export success? And can I ask the Minister if you'd like to visit Carlisle and take a look behind the clerk door?

09:51

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Oh, well, first of all, I mean, >> Oh, well, first of all, I mean, we are doing really well on UK exports. There were up to £929 billion in the last 12 months billion in the last 12 months ending in November 2025, which is up 4% on the year before. So, and I'm very happy to look at making sure that Ukri, which is part of DSIT, is also providing the support in relation to R&D because it's that combination of trying to get all our different strategies working together, the trade strategy, the business strategy, the industrial strategy and our ukri to try and drive drive forward exports.

I can't promise a visit because I seem to be sent abroad a lot.

09:52

Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne, Conservative)

- -

Lincoln Jopp. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Defence and aerospace makes up a huge element of our makes up a huge element of our export business and as the Minister knows, plans without resources are hallucinations. The Defence Investment plan was promised to us in the autumn. It was then promised to us by the end of the year. It's still not there. When is the government going to get its act together and stop dithering over the defence investment plan so that it can fuel our export economy? Yeah, well.

09:52

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Obviously defence is a really important part of both of our industrial strategy and also of our export strategy. We have a series export strategy. We have a series of different export campaigns that we're running which are either titled Platinum or Gold. Several of these relate to defence expenditure. So for instance, when I was in New Zealand just before Christmas, one of the things we were talking about was the potential of the UK building a new dry dock and providing frigates for the New Zealand Navy.

I will make sure that he gets an answer from the department, from the Ministry of Defence, who have obviously primary responsibility for that area, but he makes a fair point. So.

09:53

Gareth Davies MP (Grantham and Bourne, Conservative)

- -

Secretary of State, Minister. >> Thank you for the promotion. Mr. Speaker. We know that some we know that some British businesses are that some British businesses are put off exporting owing to costs and in particular the cost of cross-border payments. One solution to this is through the adoption of innovative digital payment methods. And that's why I personally warmly welcome the government's announcement on the Transatlantic Task Force for markets of the future. But since its announcement last September, we haven't had a great deal of detail from the government on it.

And so, can the Minister please provide the an update on the status of the task force and what he hopes it will achieve for our exporters?

09:53

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Minister, I certainly will write to him on this. And of course, electronic commerce generally is one of the things that I think we're going to need to address at the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cameroon ministerial conference in Cameroon at the end of March. There's been a moratorium on tax in relation to that, but we would like to make that permanent. We're discussing with our international allies around that. Just one other thing I'd say about exports, which is I was at fever-tree on Monday morning and their advert used to be if three quarters of your gin and tonic is the tonic, why on earth do you not care about the tonic? I note that several members are querying the fact that three quarters of their gin and tonic might be the tonic, it might be more 50 over 50, or even the other way around.

But the point is that many businesses that are really successful in this country, including Fever-tree, know that three quarters of their business can be export. That's what we need to drive up. Gareth Davies.

09:54

Gareth Davies MP (Grantham and Bourne, Conservative)

- -

Well, I thank the Minister for that response. This is one of those areas that we genuinely agree on. Digital payment technology is genuinely going to provide an opportunity for British exporters. And so I would gently ask the Minister to get on top of the detail on that task force and provide an update as soon as he possibly can. We did ask the Minister previous to him last June, exactly what the government strategy on digital payment technology was, and we were promised that it would be part of the industrial strategy.

When the industrial strategy came out, it was missing. Can you explain why? Thank you.

09:55

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Minister, I've just had >> Minister, I've just had whispered in my ear that my my colleague has met with the main providers in this area only a providers in this area only a couple of weeks ago. As I say, I will I will write to the hon. Member with some more detail. Some of these issues are difficult to land because of international cooperation needing to land it. What what I'm pleased about is that in some of our trade deals now, not only are we talking not just about goods and about services, but we're making sure that we have a digital element to those trade deals as well, because that's where a lot of back.

09:55

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Question number six, Mr. Speaker, sir. >> Mr. Speaker. Thank you. I know my hon. Friend has been actively engaging with his local businesses, such as Camerons Brewery, to highlight their importance to the highlight their importance to the local economy, and I thank him for it. We've introduced permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, while providing £4.3 billion to shield ratepayers from bill increases. On top of this, the Chancellor announced a 15% reduction in new business rate bills for pubs and live music venues and then frozen for a further two years.

We are also advancing licensing and planning reforms for the hospitality sector and through the work of the Hospitality Support Fund, providing £10 million to help hospitality venues grow and support job seekers into the sector. Later this year, we will bring forward a new high street strategy and will work with industry on its development.

09:56

Mr Jonathan Brash MP (Hartlepool, Labour)

- -

Jonathan Brash. the Minister for her answer. The Marine Hotel in Seaton Carew, in my constituency of Hartlepool, has been run for the last 30 years by Lee and Clare Dexter. It's a family business run by hard working people who are committed to their community, yet they've seen their business rates rise significantly, not driven by the multiplier but by the sharp increase in the rate of value. They do need help. So while I welcome the steps set out to support pubs this week, will the Minister meet with me to look at ways that we can fix the business rate system that's failing hotels and wider hospitality in Hartlepool?

09:57

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. >> I thank my hon. Friend for championing businesses like the Marine Hotel in Hartlepool. Hotels will continue to benefit from the will continue to benefit from the support for business rates. Announced that the Budget, including the transitional Relief scheme, which will cap increases for those seen at the large overnight increases. We have announced that we will review the way that hotels are valued. We recognise that hotels have expressed concerns about how they are valued for business rates, and those valuations are undertaken in a different way to some other sectors.

The methodology used is well established, but as with pubs, specific concerns have been raised and it's right to review this to ensure that it accurately, accurately reflects the rental values for these sectors. And I thank him and would be happy to discuss further.

09:57

Q7. Whether he plans to resume previously suspended arms export licences to Israel. (907564)

Iqbal Mohamed. Israel's compliance with and commitment to international humanitarian law. It was those assessments that led us in September 2024, to suspend licenses where the items might be used in military military operations in military military operations in Gaza. Most of the licences suspended at that time have since expired, but we have continued to expired, but we have continued to refuse licence applications on the same basis.

09:58

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Bob Blackman thank you.

09:58

Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)

- -

The Secretary of State said that revisiting the pause on arms export licences to Israel was intrinsically linked to movement intrinsically linked to movement towards a so-called sustainable peace. Since then, during the so-called ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed over 481 Palestinians in Gaza. They have struck defenceless tents, housing cowering families and bombed to kingdom come schools used for shelters for civilians. What they have not done is allowed the flow of humanitarian aid, and instead 37 ingos have been suspended. Yet this government continues with the business as usual approach to arms and trade with Israel.

How can the government justify revisiting the decision to resume arms export licences, rather than suspending the arms altogether to influence, to pressure Israel to comply with international law?

09:59

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Yeah. what the hon. Member said, which is that we do want to see humanitarian aid get to the people they need it, and that we need to see a proper, and that we need to see a proper, lasting peace based on peace and justice working together. And that is our commitment. However, he's completely wrong to suggest that it's business as usual. We've suspended some licences in particular where we think that because of Israel's failure to comply with international humanitarian law, they might be used in relation to operations in Gaza.

And but of course, there are there are many elements of because export licences are only required in relation to military and dual use equipment. Some of that dual use equipment is used by NGOs, for instance armour for journalists and things like that. So of course it's right that we adopt a case by case basis. But as I say, we have suspended a series of licences where we think that there is a threat to Gaza, but we maintain our the export licence criteria, which were laid out in Parliament.

10:00

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Joe Robertson number eight. Mr. speaker. Mr. speaker. Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I will answer questions eight and ten together. questions eight and ten together. Hospitality businesses are vital to our community and city centres. We've introduced permanent lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties and have provided £4.3 billion to shield ratepayers from big increases. On top of this, the Chancellor announced a 15% reduction in new business rates. Bills for pubs and live music venues and bills will be frozen for a further two years.

We are also advancing licensing and planning reforms to the hospitality sector and through the work of the Hospitality Support Fund, providing £10 million to help hospitality venues grow and support job seekers into the sector. Later this year, we'll bring forward a new high street strategy and will work with the industry on its development.

10:01

Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East, Conservative)

- -

Joe Robertson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What the Minister doesn't Speaker. What the Minister doesn't say is that the government has also taxed those businesses and made it harder to employ people, and that's why there are 100,000 fewer people working in hospitality. Since her government came to power. Our hospitality businesses in my constituency are hanging on to one thread of hope, and that is the vague assertion that the government will look again at valuations. Will the Minister look again right now and scrap business rates for street?

10:01

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Knowsley I thank you for this question. Every high street and every corner of our country is every corner of our country is supported by our hospitality industry. They're absolutely vital to our economy, supporting over 2 million jobs. It's really personal to me as a sector. I started off my first job in the hospitality industry, and I know many members across this house also had that personal connection. We are reversing the damage that the party opposite did to our economy, and businesses still do not thank them for it, nor do people who simply don't have didn't have the wages under the previous government to be able to use their disposable income to spend in their local pub, spend in their high streets and support their restaurants.

That's why we are reversing and ensuring that people have their rising in living standards, cutting costs for households, raising wages to help boost and support our high streets. And that's what we are absolutely essential and focus on doing rebalancing our economy. So it works for working people and for businesses alike. And that's a action.

10:02

Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)

- -

OK. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Minister referred to there being hospitality businesses in every corner of this country. Unfortunately, the change in Unfortunately, the change in business rates does not help hospitality businesses in every corner of this country because it is devolved in Scotland and Wales and the businesses in my constituency in Edinburgh West are struggling. Hospitality is absolutely vital to the Scottish economy and so far the SNP government have proved completely ineffectual at dealing with the issue.

Would the Minister expect that with the strategy that she speaks about coming later in the year, it might be useful for businesses across the UK to actually alter and reduce VAT in that sector? So every corner of the United Kingdom could benefit.

10:03

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

James Asser you lot put it up. >> James Asser you lot put it up. >> I thank the hon. Member for her question. Each devolved government has full control over the structure and level of businesses within its jurisdiction. As you mentioned, the new relief applies to England only. However, we would you know, the devolved governments have that additional funding to allocate accordingly to their priorities. And we call on the SNP to decide whether to actually support for pubs and music venues like we have taken the decision to do this week, and it's clear to them that it's up to them to decide how to spend the money.

And we've made that clear this week as to our priorities and where we would do it.

10:04

Jo Platt MP (Leigh and Atherton, Labour )

- -

Jo Platt thank you, Mr. Speaker. hospitality SMEs in my constituency start out as market traders. And as you know, our markets are a vital part of our identity and central to our local ecosystem to give businesses the space to start and grow. And does the Minister agree that markets and hospitality are key to reviving our high streets? And will she meet with me to discuss a national strategy to secure a strong pipeline for future success?

10:04

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

I thank my hon. Friend for her question, and for championing the brilliant hospitality sector and businesses in her constituency and businesses in her constituency and markets. I've got a wonderful Halifax market in my constituency, and not just the importance of a thriving traders to our high streets and to our local economies, would be more than happy to meet with her and discuss and hear her thoughts on how we can work together to restore pride in our high streets, as traders are absolutely vital to that.

That's why our high street strategy will be so important this year. To look at all those areas of directly investing in our communities, ensuring that local businesses can thrive, that we do have those bustling high streets and restore pride to back to our high streets and communities.

10:05

Chris Webb MP (Blackpool South, Labour)

- -

Chris Webb. Thank you, Mr. >> Chris Webb. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hospitality in Blackpool is struggling. We knew that under the previous government, with the cuts made back all the most deprived coastal community and town in the country. But Blackpool has an answer to the solution. It's the new Blackpool Tourism Enterprise Zone. It's expanding our current enterprise zone right across the promenade into those hospitality and tourism businesses. So will the Minister meet with me and the managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited to discuss our idea to create jobs, unlock growth and investment in Blackpool?

10:05

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. >> I thank my hon. Friend for his question, for all his work for his constituency and businesses in Blackpool and he makes an excellent Blackpool and he makes an excellent point. I'd be really keen to hear more about his work and discuss further the there's a real opportunity with our hospitality zones that we're looking to create to really drive that investment and ensure that businesses and people across our country benefit alike. And I really look forward to hearing more about his work.

10:06

Victoria Collins MP (Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Victoria Collins. >> Victoria Collins. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hospitality is on its knees. We know that for many of the pubs and restaurants in Harpenden and restaurants in Harpenden and Birkenhead, it's already too late. They are closing down, but the small cafe looking market is a real lifeline for that village. But Helen, the owner, talks about business rates, about costs, the National insurance costs but also minimum wage. The Liberal Democrats have long been calling out with hospitality that cry to government to say things have to be done to help them.

We welcome that U-turn, but I would call on the Minister and the government to to hear that cry before the next U-turn, and it's too late for the next wave of hospitality that will close down.

10:06

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Good point, Minister. committed to reviewing the methodology for for business rates purposes and if necessary, we'll make changes to ensure that valuations and particularly accurately, accurately reflect the rental market for these properties. At the next revaluation, we'll be conducting that expert review, working closely with hotel and pub sectors in particular. And we want to see our high streets absolutely thrive. And hospitality are really key to that. And in her constituency and across our economy too, that's what I want to see and that's what we're committed to working for.

Kim Johnson thank.

10:07

Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)

- -

You, Mr. Speaker. Liverpool's hospitality and sport businesses. hospitality and sport businesses. Continue to tell me that soaring business rates are pushing them to the brink. Many independent shops, cafes and community venues. Pillars of our local high street are now facing increases far above what they can absorb, especially in terms of energy and supply costs. These are businesses that create local jobs, drive footfall and keep our high streets alive. So can the Minister explain what immediate steps the government will take to reform the business rate system, so it no longer penalises areas like Liverpool disproportionately? And will she commit to meeting with affected businesses owners in my constituency to hear directly about the pressures they are facing, to urge urgent support they need to survive?

10:08

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. and I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We are introducing new, permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly 1 billion per year. That will benefit over 750,000 properties next year. The rate for small properties will be the lowest since business rates were introduced more than 30 years ago, paying through higher rates on on top of 1% of the most expensive properties. And that includes many large distribution warehouses, such as those used by online giants.

That high value multiply is 33% more than the multiplier for small properties. And that's what we committed in our manifesto and creating that new sustainable system with permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties will make that massive difference for people will be publishing that call for evidence in September, exploring potential longer term reforms, and I urge you to get involved and shape that to.

10:09

Andrew Griffith MP (Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)

- -

Shadow Secretary of State Andrew Griffiths. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Minister will have just heard from across the House. Please from across the House. Please continue, please, to support the hospitality industry. It's always a good day when the government U-turns and provides more support for pubs, so we welcome that. But unless the Minister could explain to us when a pub goes to being a gastropub, when a gastropub goes to being a restaurant, when a restaurant with rooms turns into a hotel and descends down that wormhole, will she represent to the Chancellor to extend the same measures for pubs that she U-turned on this week? Across the whole retail, hospitality and leisure sector? Because the truth of the matter is, 90% of that sector will not benefit from this week's U-turn.

10:10

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. and good morning to the Shadow Minister. I'm sure he had a stiff drink after the performance at PMQs yesterday, and all pubs and live music venues that meet the definition set out in the guidance qualify for the support and he will be able to see that online and clearly, and we'll be working with local authorities to ensure that this includes establishments that are open to wide section of local communities. I've discussed already around those valuations for pubs and taken into account the turnover and how we'll be working closely with the wider sector on the valuations going forwards.

But this is a government that is working really closely with the sector that's committed to listening. I think that's a responsible government and we're doing the right thing.

10:10

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Liberal Democrat spokesperson Sarah Olney. >> Thank you very much. Madam Deputy Speaker. The heavy burden of Labour's NICs rise, compounded with high energy costs and the business high energy costs and the business rates increase, have raised alarm about the affordability of hospitality businesses. Monthly employment costs 84,000 jobs in the hospitality sector alone have been lost since the NICs rise was introduced, and this is particularly damaging to young people, many of whom traditionally found their first jobs in the hospitality sector. Just like the Minister herself, as she just said at the despatch box.

But with this sector struggling to employ new workers, damage is being done to career prospects of our young people and it will be detrimental to the broader economy. In the long term. Business confidence is down, job vacancies are down, unemployment is up. So can the Minister tell the House what steps they are the department is taking to support businesses in tackling high unemployment costs, and to bring down those increasingly high levels of unemployment? Thank.

10:11

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. A decade of stagnant growth and living standards won't be turned living standards won't be turned around in 18 months, but there are signs of progress. And the party opposite, particularly with youth unemployment, left 1 in 8 young people out of education, employment and training. And that is absolutely disgraceful figure. We are working relentlessly to turn that around. We recognise the challenges that businesses work through as a result of the actions undertaken by the previous government. With youth unemployment in particular, we've announced £820 million funding package to give a generation of young people a brighter future.

Over the next three years. 1 million young people on Universal Credit across the country will benefit from the support designed to get them into employment and learning, particularly what we're doing on small businesses with apprenticeships and partly funding that too. And that will be significant, especially for the hospitality sector to encourage more jobs as it's key as a lifeline for people to get onto the employment market. I recognise that as she as she noted, we know the importance of that and we want to work closely with the sector through the council and through the wider work that we're doing in the strategy because it's significant.

10:13

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Lizzi Collinge question number nine, Madam Deputy. >> Thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker, the Department is driving economic growth by delivering the long term certainty delivering the long term certainty that businesses need and supporting the growth of businesses across the UK, including in Lancashire, where the Lancashire Growth Business Growth Service is ensuring the businesses in Morecambe and Lunesdale have advice to grow, to scale and to succeed.

10:13

Lizzi Collinge MP (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Labour)

- -

Lizzi Collinge. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In my constituency of Morecambe and Lunesdale, we have the Tech Innovation Cluster, a growing group of small and medium sized firms, of small and medium sized firms, many of which who supply specialist components into the clean energy sector, particularly nuclear and the vital defence sector. And the Minister would be very welcome, of course, to come and visit them in Morecambe and Lunesdale. So can the Minister tell me how the Department is supporting SMEs, like those in the tech innovation cluster, and how they will benefit from the government's investment in industry?

10:13

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Minister? >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank my hon. Friend for her work in championing small businesses in her constituency, particularly the her constituency, particularly the cluster where I know businesses such as Teleplan, Forsberg like Technologies and Mazuma, as she says are working on in the clean energy, in the clean energy sector, our Clean Energy Industry sector plan focuses on capitalising on the strengths of these businesses, doubling investment levels across our frontier industries to over £30 billion a year by 2035, which will directly support businesses in that cluster.

And of course, I would be delighted to come and visit Peter Swallow.

10:14

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker 11 please, Minister. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, our plan to make work pay will our plan to make work pay will bring employment rights legislation into the 21st century, extending protections given by the best British companies to millions more workers, including those in Bracknell Forest. We're delivering this change in partnership with businesses, trade unions, public sector employers and civil society and when implemented, the Employment Rights Act will increase protection from sexual harassment, extend and strengthen statutory sick pay and end exploitative zero hours contracts, tackle fire and rehire with over 18 million workers to gain greater fairness and security.

10:15

Peter Swallow MP (Bracknell, Labour)

- -

Peter Swallow across the country, millions of fathers can be denied time off from work to spend with a newborn child. Thousands of carers are out of work because employers won't give them the flexibility they need. This government is delivering day one paternity leave. We're listening on carer's leave. I know what a difference this will make to my constituents. So can the Minister think why the hon. Member for Clacton and his reform MPs voted against this change? Where are they?

10:15

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

I thank my hon. Friend for his really important question. He's absolutely right to raise this reform. Voted against the Employment Rights Act at every single opportunity, the Member for Clacton would roll back on protections we have given to 18 million workers across the country, including those absolutely vital day one paternity leave and parental leave, statutory sick pay for the lowest paid protections for pregnant workers, increased protection from universal for unfair dismissal, end to exploitative zero hours contracts and a new rights bereavement leave and so much more.

Reform are simply not the party for working people. It's this side of the House. They voted against it and also their plans would threaten employment up and down the country.

10:16

Andrew Griffith MP (Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)

- -

Yeah. Shadow Secretary of State Andrew Griffith. Andrew Griffith. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's not just, of course, Bracknell. It's not just, of course, Bracknell. And one day the benches opposite will understand there are no workers rights if you have no work. Youth unemployment is up significantly. It's a tragedy that everybody should be ashamed of. And it's going up on their watch. Small businesses who provide so many jobs are very worried about the administrative burden of trade union access.

We're talking about the very smallest businesses here pubs, restaurants, garden centres, small catering businesses. They are the backbone of our communities. So will the Minister consider as she tries to implement the act, lifting the threshold for the trade union access agreement to a headcount of 250, recognised elsewhere as a threshold in law that would protect our very smallest businesses from that administrative burden?

10:17

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. >> Minister. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, to hear about the opposition party try to lecture this side of the House on trade union engagement, industrial relations and how we operate in our economy is a very interesting reflection from this Dispatch Box he knows that I'm working really closely with businesses of all sizes, small and large, and our trade unions and partners, because that is the right thing to do. This is a significant piece of legislation. We want to get it right, but we also want to fundamentally change how we do things in this country.

And that is the right thing to do, and we're taking the responsible action to do so. We recognise there's lots of changes. That's why we're working in a staged way over the next two years to implement them, and we're doing it in partnership with businesses and unions. We want to work together to deliver this significant change for 18 million people across this country, and

**** Possible New Speaker ****

businesses are absolutely vital for us delivering it. That's why we're working together to do that. Chris Bloore question. Please.

10:17

Q12. What recent progress he has made on the implementation of single worker status. (907571)

>> Please. >> Mr. Minister. >> I'm having quite the Alison

**** Possible New Speaker ****

I'm having quite the Alison Taylor. Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the question from my hon. Friend who's business experience as

10:18

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Friend who's business experience as the chief executive of an international trade association gives him acute insight into this topic. This government is committed topic. This government is committed to tackling the pressing issues with the current employment status framework, and we will publish our consultation as soon as possible. The consultation will seek to address issues with the framework, which can enable worker exploitation and leave vulnerable workers without employment protections.

10:18

Chris Bloore MP (Redditch, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member, the Minister, for her answer. She will know to many parcel couriers in my constituency and many across the country are on bogus self-employment contracts and worse terms and conditions without holiday pay or sick leave, driving down standards across the sector. But of course, robbing the public purse of National Insurance contributions are welcome. Her commitment to announcing the consultation on single status of worker. And can I can she guarantee that both employer and employee representation will be included in that consultation?

10:19

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Mr. it. I completely agree that some businesses seeking to undercut others in a race to the bottom through bogus self-employment is completely unacceptable. Employers should never seek to deny people their employment rights and avoid their own legal obligations by claiming someone's self-employed, when in reality they might not be. Will therefore be consulting both on changes to the status framework itself and on action to improve compliance. We will, of course, engage with all stakeholders as part of that Jess Brown-Fuller.

10:19

Q13. What steps he is taking to support businesses with their operating costs. (907572)

Question 13 Madam Deputy.

10:19

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

reduce operating costs for all UK businesses, including those in Chichester. We are working to reduce the annual administrative burden of regulation by £5.6 billion by 2029, enabling businesses to by 2029, enabling businesses to unlock growth and boost innovation across key sectors. We are introducing the most significant introducing the most significant legislation to tackle the payments in over 25 years, providing a support package worth over £4 support package worth over £4 billion over the next three years to help business rates payers, and were fully funding apprenticeship training costs for all eligible 16 to 24 year olds.

10:20

Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Chichester, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Jess Brown-Fuller. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The irony for. >> So many of my small businesses in Chichester is that they are busy, they are well established, they are they are well established, they are popular, but it's not bad business that's making them struggle. It's bad policy. The current business rates system disincentivizes investment creates uncertainty and places an undue burden on our high streets. Those are not my words. They are lifted from the Labour Party manifesto. So when should my local businesses expect the real changes that they need to business rates, and will they please explore a commercial landowner levy in their upcoming review?

10:20

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Mr. that the government are committed to tackling inadequacies within the way that rates are calculated and evaluated. And that is exactly what the my colleague from the Treasury spoke about from this Dispatch Box the other day. But just to say, beyond the rates issue, we are protecting high street businesses from upward only rental review clauses. We are introducing a community right to buy so people can take valued community assets into ownership. On the high street, we've got rental options for empty properties.

In the high street. We've got action on bogus businesses, as my hon. Friend spoke about. So we are doing a great deal

**** Possible New Speaker ****

described. Liz Twist question 14. Madam

10:21

Q14. What steps he is taking to implement the Modern Industrial Strategy. (907573)

Deputy Speaker. Mr. >> With with permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I'll answer

10:21

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Deputy Speaker, I'll answer questions 14 and 15. Together we're focussed on delivering our industrial strategy so that we are industrial strategy so that we are once again a nation that makes things, invents new industries and exports around the world. We're exports around the world. We're investing £100 billion into industries through the National Wealth Fund. We're directing £9 billion in research and innovation funding towards key growth industries. And we are bringing forward a huge increase in support for exporters through UK export finance.

10:22

Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)

- -

Madam Deputy Speaker, for 14. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, for 14. Years under the last government, my constituents living standards stagnated across Blaydon and stagnated across Blaydon and Consett. We've got many successful manufacturing and engineering firms like Slater's Electricals and Peters and Steel Rigging in Blaydon, Gardner Aerospace and Cave Systems in Consett and many more. Can my hon. Friend set out how our modern industrial strategy will support businesses in my constituency to get living standards raised for my constituents? Minister.

10:22

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Well, she's such a powerful advocate for the industrial advocate for the industrial strength in her part of the world, and it is exactly those strengths that our industrial strategy is working on to drive up business investment, to create those high quality jobs that will improve living standards and deliver better, better public services for everyone. The government's Northern Growth Strategy aims to increase the potential of the Northern Growth Corridor to catalyse growth in sectors like those that she describes, and I know we will continue to work with her to ensure her constituents get the most out of that.

10:23

Luke Akehurst MP (North Durham, Labour)

- -

Luke Akehurst. Madam Deputy >> Luke Akehurst. Madam Deputy Speaker, County Durham has been home to proud British industries for centuries, but for decades for centuries, but for decades they've been in decline and communities like mine in North Durham have paid the price. Our modern industrial strategy will work to fix this. It's going to invest billions in defence, advanced manufacturing and clean power, which are sectors where the North East has a unique advantage. Can the Minister assure me that our modern industrial strategy is going to bring jobs and growth and reindustrialisation to my constituency of North Durham?

10:23

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Minister? reassure him of that. The industrial Society recognises the great strengths in the North East. That my hon. Friend is such a strong champion for as part of the North East Combined Authority, County Durham's benefiting from targeted measures, including at least £30 million from the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund and the pilot to develop a resilient electric vehicle supply chain. This will support locally critical components and capabilities backed by drive 35, and we will shortly set out further detail on our northern growth strategy, building on the commitment to invest up to £45 billion in Northern Powerhouse Rail Vikki Slade.

10:24

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. There is only one rebar mill in the There is only one rebar mill in the UK in Cardiff and it can only make a small portion of our needs means we're reliant on exports. Even if we're reliant on exports. Even if we open a new facility, we're not going to have enough capacity for things like the rail projects and the 1.5 million homes. The ending of the rollover tariffs is leading to unused quotas, and companies like my constituent heighten in Mid Dorset and North Poole can't risk taking an order which leaves a country, and by the time it arrives in this country, the quota has been used up and it can't be imported.

Will he meet with me to look at the impact of these changes on the ground before it strangles economic growth?

10:25

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

OK. >> OK. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, she's right to raise the worries that industry have over turbulent trade industry have over turbulent trade environment internationally is exactly why it is so important that we're out there in the world as a government engaging because businesses, including the one she mentions, need that stability. Very happy to arrange that meeting with her.

10:25

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

We now move on to topical >> We now move on to topical questions and I come to Chris Vince. >> Topical one. Madam Deputy Speaker Secretary of State. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, the

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Madam Deputy Speaker, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply because he's in China with the Prime Minister. In the last few weeks, our department has concluded weeks, our department has concluded an enhanced trade deal with the Republic of Korea, published a critical mineral strategy and secured the Employment Rights Act, which will see the biggest improvement in employment rights in a generation at home and abroad. We are resolutely on the side of business tackling barriers to trade, improving productivity, driving up growth and winning business.

For Britain, growth is up, productivity is up and business confidence is up.

10:26

Chris Vince MP (Harlow, Labour )

- -

Chris Vince. visit the Advance Aquarium consultancy in my constituency of Harlow where they breed, grow and sell coral. I'm not going to make any coral jokes. It will be a relief to everybody. But what is particularly unique about a business like Advance Aquarium Consultancy is the amount of energy that they need to use. So what is this government doing to support businesses like the aquarium consultancy to bring down energy costs?

10:26

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Minister. >> Well, I thought he was going to ask. I was told he was going to ask a question about coral farms. And I was just wondering how you farmed tenors and altos and contraltos. tenors and altos and contraltos. But look, he makes a very fair point. There is a whole series of industries, as my hon. Friend referred to earlier, where the cost of energy is a significant part of the problems that they're facing. And that's precisely the kind of work where that we are engaged on as a department and as a whole government.

And that's why it's so important that my hon. Friend is in two departments and is able to issues.

10:27

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

- -

Shadow Minister Dame Harriett Baldwin. >> Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. And yet again, the Business Secretary is not here for his departmental questions. This his departmental questions. This time he's in China trying to sort out the mess that is British Steel strategy. He's burning through £2 million a day of taxpayers money, keeping the Scunthorpe furnace going. The Chinese owners are asking for £1 billion in compensation. Decommissioning could cost over £2 billion. His steel strategy is literally melting before its long awaited publication.

Given that when the Prime Minister negotiates, Britain loses. What is a good outcome here?

10:28

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Self-awareness from the Conservatives? Conservatives? >> Honestly, I mean, the. I sometimes my heart just wants to sometimes my heart just wants to fall through my body when I hear members on the opposite side who seem to have completely and utterly lost the plot, whether it's enormous, multibillion pound demands for extra cash. I mean, the hon. Gentleman, as I understand it, was a chartered or is a chartered accountant, but he doesn't seem to be able to count. The hon. Lady seems to forget that when she was in government, the previous Prime Minister refused even to go and visit any of the steel companies in this country.

We are determined to get a good outcome. But look, she she attacks the business secretary for going to China. I think it is important that we engage with all of the big economies in the world. China is our fourth biggest export market. There are lots of businesses who are doing trade with with China. And yes, she's absolutely right. Of course, we've got to get a good set of outcomes for steel. That's why very soon we will be producing a steel strategy, which will answer all the questions that she's referring to.

And, and I and I said at previous business questions that we wanted to make sure that we are able to publish soon are what we're going to be doing after July in, in in reference to our own trade, steel trade tariffs. Baldwin.

10:29

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

- -

Well, Madam Deputy Speaker, you can see why the business Secretary can see why the business Secretary needs to be here to answer questions. Because I didn't hear an answer to my question there, but I am going to try a different topic. Also really important to our constituents, because 16 million of them got their Royal Mail parcels and letters late this Christmas. I know that my constituents have had many, many complaints. So what has the Minister done to hold Royal Mail to account for this unacceptable level of service?

10:30

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

I think every single member of this House would would have similar complaints about the delivery of service. I mean, in my own service. I mean, in my own constituency, I'm aware of people receiving letters for appointments in their NHS after the appointment itself, and my hon. Friend is meeting with them next week. We we really need to make sure that we get a better service across the whole of the country, and that's something that we're absolutely focussed on achieving.

10:30

Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)

- -

Liz Twist Madam Deputy Speaker Winchester cancelled at the last Winchester cancelled at the last minute. Too many of my constituents struggled to get by, which protections introduced by the employment rank plank are so important. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that all workers can access these rights, including a contract that reflects their regular working hours and concentration? The Council.

10:30

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister, I. >> Thank my hon. Friend for her question. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that all jobs provide that baseline of security and predictability, and she and predictability, and she perfectly outlined exactly why that is important. The next step is to consult before setting regulations to get that detail right. I'd love to hear from her further about the experiences in her background, but also the hard work that she's done on this area for a long period of time. Providing those workers with guaranteed hours is really, really crucial for security.

10:31

Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)

- -

Graham Leadbitter thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the recently published quarterly statistics, the Aberdeen Chamber of statistics, the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce confirmed that business confidence in the North East has slumped to levels not seen since the height of the Covid pandemic, with almost half of companies forecasting falling profits. A clear reason cited was the Labour government's refusal to ditch the tax in Scotland's energy, resulting in 1000 jobs being lost each month, akin to what Thatcher was doing to the coal communities in the 80s.

So can the Minister tell me why his government is happy to see crucial North east businesses suffering, and the communities that those workers support and will? I apologise to the workers of the North East for the thousands of jobs that have been lost at the hands of this Labour government, sir. Well.

10:32

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

We have been working hard on many to secure good outcomes for many of the businesses in his constituency. Walkers shortbread is doing a phenomenal job exports around the world. I know because I've seen them in their in supermarkets in Auckland, in in Melbourne, in Dubai, all over the place. Similarly, we're trying to get a good deal with the United States on whisky. We already have a good deal with India on whisky and and the Prime Minister and others will be talking about whisky in China as well over the next few days.

I do wish he would be a bit cheerier. He's got one of the most beautiful constituencies in the land. Whether it's the Lowry grew, the Rothiemurchus estate, the Ospreys in Loch Garten or Loch and it's absolutely beautiful. He could just be a bit cheerier.

10:32

Emma Foody MP (Cramlington and Killingworth, Labour )

- -

Emma Foody. >> The North. >> East has one of the largest pharmaceutical clusters, a key growth sector as identified in the North-East Growth Plan. And my Cramlington and Killingworth constituency has some of the leading companies such as Organon and Sterling Pharma, providing good quality jobs and exporting around the world. How is the government backing our pharmaceutical sector and supporting the North East to secure and expand opportunities in this area?

10:33

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Mr. >> Mr. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank my hon. Friend, for the work that she's doing to highlight the North East role as a key part of our life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry. She mentioned Organon and her constituency there. Cramlington site was singled out by the leadership of that business at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco recently, and in two weeks time, I'll be opening Fujifilm by Fujifilm's biotechnology factory in Billingham in my own constituency, a £400 million investment in North East Biosciences, our life sciences sector sector plan is backing the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry with £2 billion of investment.

And of course, our UQs deal is delivering zero tariff access for UK pharmaceutical exports.

10:33

Rebecca Smith MP (South West Devon, Conservative)

- -

Rebecca Smith. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, Sharmaine from Cox and Co Salon in Plymstock in my and Co Salon in Plymstock in my South West Devon constituency, has been in contact because government business decisions are making it incredibly difficult for her business to stay afloat. Now the National Hair and Beauty Federation has highlighted the fact that business rates remain the largest fixed cost facing this incredibly important industry. So will the Minister commit to extending business rate relief beyond pubs to all high street businesses, and especially those in the health and beauty sector?

10:34

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Minister. bit of a discussion about what we're going to do about business rates and and I haven't got much to add to that. I'd just say about the add to that. I'd just say about the health and beauty sector, it's not only a sector in the UK, it's one that is vital to our new exports. So for instance, in India, I'm sure she's aware of this in India because we've managed to get the tariffs down in our free trade agreement with India on beauty products.

And there are lots of businesses that we've been facilitating going out to India as part of a trade fair, who are driving up our exports to that and around the world. So the whole of the sector, I think, has an opportunity to prosper when we manage to secure better free trade agreements.

10:35

Josh Fenton-Glynn MP (Calder Valley, Labour)

- -

Josh Fenton-Glynn thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Almost 1 in 3 pubs in this country has a tied pub pubs in this country has a tied pub in Calder Valley. One such pub saw its payments to Stonegate jump from £800 a week to £1,700 a week, just days after the six month probationary period ended. I welcome the government's support for pubs, but that pub will still be paying 17 times more to Stone gate each year year than it will in business rates. Will the Minister please look at these unfair charges and what can be done in regulation?

10:35

Kate Dearden MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Halifax, Labour )

- -

Minister. >> Important case. >> My colleague in the wonderful Calderdale, and we have some of the Calderdale, and we have some of the the best pubs in the country, as he knows, the pubs code in England and Wales regulates the relationship between pub owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs, including Stonegate and their tied pub tenants, and aims to ensure that tenants are treated fairly. The government is currently undertaking the third statutory review of the effectiveness of the code, and it may help to inform the review of.

The hon. Member could write to me setting out the details of the examples he's mentioned.

10:36

Shockat Adam MP (Leicester South, Independent)

- -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. announcing the results of their British Industry Competitive Scheme consultation and provide the much the fabulous manufacturing industry in my constituency of Leicester South with some much needed help with their energy costs.

10:36

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Sir. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. So the the hon. Gentleman is right to point out, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will provide a significant discount to up to 7000 manufacturing businesses, up to 25% of their energy costs. It will certainly help manufacturing businesses in his constituency and across the whole of the UK. I encourage businesses in his constituency to to contribute to the consultation, the result of which will be announced in due course.

10:36

Catherine Fookes MP (Monmouthshire, Labour)

- -

Thanks. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Recently I met with employees and union reps from Synlab, a thriving pathology lab in Abergavenny. It's pathology lab in Abergavenny. It's been taken over and now 30 plus jobs are at risk, meaning these highly skilled Stem opportunities could move out of my constituency of Monmouthshire. I thank the Minister for meeting me earlier this week, but could she please meet with Welsh Government colleagues and myself to discuss how we ensure we keep these kind of high tech jobs in Wales, as it shouldn't just be big cities that benefit from these Stem opportunities.

10:37

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

First of all, I pray I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, it's great that she's a member of this House because we hear an unambiguous support for small businesses up and down her constituency, not just in the big towns, but in the small villages, as she says. And she's absolutely right that Wales is a really good place for high tech. I'm really delighted that recently, £1.4 billion additional investment was announced at the Welsh Investment Summit in December, taking the total investment since the summit was launched to £16 billion.

I'm sure that is going to deliver more jobs across South Wales in precisely the way she she asks.

10:37

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

- -

Always enjoy the soliloquies. >> Of State. >> It might be an opportunity for the Royal Mail and Postal Services Minister to answer this particular question. Given that I wrote to the question. Given that I wrote to the Minister's office about the catastrophic failure of the letter delivery service throughout Shropshire, so would the parliamentary Under-Secretary of state agree to meet with me and my hon. Friend the Member for South Shropshire, about resolving this issue?

10:38

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

- -

Mr. >> Happy to. >> Do so. I understand that Royal Mail is a private company regulated by Ofcom, but it is also a critical by Ofcom, but it is also a critical part of our national economic and social infrastructure and it is not acceptable if people are not getting their post. That is a message I deliver to Royal Mail in person next week.

10:38

Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )

- -

Thank you. >> Music venue. >> Levy earlier. He knows that in my constituency of Falmouth, particularly in Truro, we have particularly in Truro, we have amazing music venues. I would ask him when the first payment from that, from that levy might be made to those smaller venues if you, sir.

10:38

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Well, I've changed job, I'm afraid, since, since I was pushing afraid, since, since I was pushing that very, very hard. Certainly the intention was for that to be happening fairly soon. I will make sure that the Minister for the Creative Industries responds directly to her. But look, this is a really important opportunity for every time you go to a big arena gig. There should be a £1 levy on those tickets. I urge all the promoters, all the artists and all the concert arrangers and to make sure that that money gets to small music venues.

10:39

Madam Deputy Speaker it >> Madam Deputy Speaker it shouldn't be the case that a toxic chemical like paraquat, which is the the use of which was banned by the the use of which was banned by the previous Labour government in 2007 for use here, and it's associated with the development of Parkinson's. It's deemed too dangerous for our use on our own soil, but continues to be produced here and sent to elsewhere, where it's perpetuating harms which wouldn't be tolerated at home. Can I ask what the policy is on exporting UK manufacturing product like paraquat to other countries?

10:39

Dave Robertson MP (Lichfield, Labour)

- -

Minister. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, can I thank the Minister for industry for his engagement with ceramics UK this week, meeting with them on ceramics companies from across ceramics companies from across Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent, the West Midlands and further afield. He would have heard from them about the importance of getting ceramics firms into the supercharger scheme. I was really pleased to hear his statement earlier about trying to extend the eligibility for that. I wonder if you can give us an idea of when we may hear some positive news on that front.

10:40

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm also grateful to him as well for representing so to him as well for representing so clearly the importance of the ceramics firms in his constituency. I, I heard the message loud and clear from the ceramics industry earlier this week about the impact of energy costs. And as I mentioned earlier in the review of the supercharger scheme, I've asked my officials to look very carefully at the opportunities for including ceramic sector.

10:40

Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)

- -

Ben Obese-Jecty Mr Speaker. >> Ben Obese-Jecty Mr Speaker. >> The Ajax armoured vehicle programme is currently under threat, but work is due to be completed at but work is due to be completed at the Merthyr Tydfil factory in summer next year. Could the Minister confirm whether there are any conversations through the UK Defence and Security Exports Office around securing an export package for the Ajax vehicle and guaranteeing work at that factory going forward, sir?

10:41

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Well, obviously we would like to do so and as somebody in the next door constituency, I'm very keen to make sure that and I've been and visited the factory myself. We are keen to do so, but obviously a large part of this is an mod responsibility. I'll make sure that the mod write to him.

10:41

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

- -

Martin Vickers. could I return again to the issue of the steel industry? I thank the Minister for our the meeting we held a few weeks ago, but I was contacted by a couple of employees in Scunthorpe last week who expressed concern about recent reports of publicly funded contracts using foreign produced steel. Could the Minister give an assurance that a British produced steel will take priority in such cases?

10:41

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

- -

Minister. Deputy Speaker, I thank you very, very much for his constructive and positive engagement on this issue and I do understand the concerns of the steelworkers in Scunthorpe. I know precisely the projects that he's referring to. Those projects were projects that were not procured under public procurement rules, and the developers and the contractors involved have followed their own rules and commitments. However, it it is the case that this government wants to see more steel used in both public and other projects around the country.

That's a matter for developing steel capability, but also potentially for reviewing our procurement rules.

10:42

Rt Hon David Mundell MP (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Conservative)

- -

Final question David Mundell. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As chair of the All Party Latin chair of the All Party Latin America group, I was interested to note that the EU announced a trade deal with the South American Trading Group after 25 years of negotiation. What is the position of the UK government in relation to Minister.

10:42

Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)

- -

Well, it's certainly true that >> Well, it's certainly true that now that the EU, having taken 25 years, as he points out, to secure years, as he points out, to secure a Mercosur deal, there is a danger that British business will be left out and excluded because there would be preferential rates for European businesses rather than ourselves. So it's something that we are looking at very, very closely and I hope to be able to update him very soon as he knows I'm a passionate about trying to increase our exports to Latin

**** Possible New Speaker ****

America. I just note that some companies, like Inca Kola, are originally created by British firms. That is the.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

That is the. End of business and trade questions. I'll give the. Frontbenchers a moment to. Shuffle Frontbenchers a moment to. Shuffle over. These questions. The Leader of the House, I call the shadow Leader Jesse Norman.

10:43

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

- -

Thank you.

10:43

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Leader of the House? commencing 2nd of February will include Monday the 2nd of February consideration of Lords amendments to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, followed by motions relating to the High speed rail Crewe to Manchester Bill, Tuesday the 3rd of February. Second Reading of the Universal Credit. Removal of two child limit bill Wednesday, the 4th of February, opposition Day in the name of the official opposition, the subject yet to be announced Thursday, the 5th of February general Debate on road safety, followed by a general debate on obligation to assess the risk of genocide under international law in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories.

The subject for these debates was determined by the Backbench Business Committee Friday, the 6th of February. The House will not be sitting the provisional business for the week commencing the 9th of February includes Monday the 9th of February, general debate on the UK India Free Trade Agreement, followed by a debate on a motion on increasing survival rates from brain tumours. The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee Tuesday, the 10th of February debate, on motion to approve the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pension Increase Order 2026 and the draft Social Security Benefits Up Rating Order 2026, followed by debate on motion to approve the draft Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Operating Order 2026 and the draft Social Security contributions, rates, limits and threshold amendments, National Insurance Fund Payments and Extension of Veterans Relief Regulations 2026 Wednesday the 11th of February.

Motions relating to the police grant and local government finance reports. And on Thursday the 12th of February, a general debate on LGBT History Month, followed by a debate on a motion on mobile connectivity in rural areas. The subject for these debates, determined by the Backbench Business Committee and the House of Commons, will rise for the February recess at the conclusion of business on Thursday the 12th of February, and return on Monday the 23rd of February.

10:45

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

- -

Shadow Leader of the House Jesse Norman. >> I thank. >> The leader very much for the business. As the House will know, business. As the House will know, this is the week of Holocaust Memorial Day. I'm delighted we will be debating that in this chamber later on today. Colleagues, I'm sure, will have visited the extraordinary exhibition of shoes in portcullis House. I myself visited Auschwitz actually, when it was under communist control in Poland in 1988, and saw the originals of that exhibition.

And it was a profoundly moving experience. And I know everyone in present will share my sense of sorrow and remembrance for all those who died. This is also the week in which we note with great sadness the death of Captain Philip Muldowney in an in a live fire exercise, and send our very best to his his fellow soldiers, his friends and his family. But I'd also like to put on record my personal sadness at the death of Howard Flight Lord flight, a dedicated servant of this house over many years.

And in the other place, Madam Deputy Speaker, this week the Prime Minister demonstrated his genius political touch once again by getting Andy Burnham barred from standing in the Gorton by election, when he almost certainly would have been hammered if he had stood. The problem solved. Meanwhile, the Resolution Foundation has calculated that the extra uncertainty created by the Chancellor's repeated U-turns has already cost this country, or is going to cost it £8.2 billion, and that will only increase over time.

That figure is based on official OBR numbers. It includes the government's U-turns on personal independence, payments on Universal Credit and on the winter fuel allowance, but not the uncertainty additionally created by the government's recent U-turns on business rates for pubs and inheritance tax rules for farmers. Those will take the cost closer to £9 billion of unnecessary extra burden on the people of this country. Created by the government since July 2024. And lest we forget, even without any U-turns, the extra cost of servicing UK government debt since July 2024 has been, and remains again thanks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, higher than in either the US or the eurozone.

That's according to Labour's own friendly think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research. And finally, extraordinarily irony of ironies, we hear that Sir Tony Blair will sit on President Trump's so-called peace board for the reconstruction of Gaza, to which one can only say, in the words of the late, great Tom Lehrer, satire is dead. This is the man who took this country to war in the Middle East on a false prospectus. One must ask, haven't the people of Gaza suffered enough? Madam Deputy Speaker, I note that AstraZeneca are accompanying the Prime Minister on his trip to China.

As the House will know, AstraZeneca is the single biggest investor in research and development in the United Kingdom. Its best selling, best global, best in class breast cancer drug and Her2 is available for reimbursement in America, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, across Scandinavia and in Japan. Within these islands, it's available for reimbursement in Scotland, but not in England. Outside a few special cases, that is an insult to AstraZeneca, but still more to the 46,000 women a year who are diagnosed with breast cancer in England and the millions more who have had it, who who are at risk and who are unable to be treated affordably.

As a result, there is deep concern the House will know across this chamber among all members about this issue. Just the leader share my view of it and will he take the matter up urgently with his Cabinet colleagues? And then finally, data this week shows that over the last year, police numbers have fallen sharply. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the number of full time equivalent police officers fell by 1318 police staff, down 529, PCSOs down 204. The number of special constables down 514, police volunteers down 429.

In total, around 3000 fewer people are now involved in policing our communities. Now these figures compare the same point in each year precisely because recruitment happens in cycles, so there can be no statistical disguising. I actually rather agree with Commissioner Rowley when he says police should be judged by outputs rather than inputs. Again, a very welcome corrective to the endless tendency started, I'm afraid, under Messrs. Blair and Brown to trumpet increased spending as though that was the same thing as results.

But that hardly applies to the number of volunteers and specials, both of which are down. And in general, fewer officers and fewer staff mean fewer crimes investigated, fewer patrols on our streets, and slower responses to 999 calls. Home Secretary's announcements earlier this week were silent on protecting overall police numbers. So could the leader spell out whether the government's policy is to allow police numbers to decline over time or not? And could the House have an up to date statement on this specific issue?

10:51

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

10:56

Thank you very much. >> And first of all, can I associate my self with the comments of the Leader of the House about Holocaust Day? Coming from a family Holocaust Day? Coming from a family with Jewish heritage, I feel this very, very strongly. But one of the worst aspects of the austerity years was the impact on young people. And in a community like mine of 23 separate mining villages, all isolated the future of youth, which are, after all, the future of our country is very, very is very, very difficult.

And so I'm wondering whether the leader could think about recommending a moment when we might discuss youth services in the country, which would give me an opportunity to raise a piece of land which has fallen into private use in Upton. In my constituency, there is a covenant held by the coalfield authority, and I'm hoping that they will enforce it. So such a debate would allow me to press that case.

10:57

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Leader. >> Deputy speaker, this government has brought forward a young people's strategy the first time in more than a decade, and also a review is going, is being undertaken into how best we can tackle the difficult issue of bringing down youth unemployment. But I will draw to the attention of the relevant Secretary of State and see what plans that we have got to bring forward a debate or perhaps a statement, so that my hon. Friend can make those points himself.

10:58

Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Democrat spokesperson Bobby Dean. comments made by the Leader of the House about Holocaust Memorial Day and the tributes he made to the people that we have lost? Last people that we have lost? Last weekend, all the plotting and deceit finally reached a climax, and I have to say that the man from and I have to say that the man from the North that I wanted to win that battle didn't quite make it still has played a good game, and I thought that Steve and Rachel were worthy winners of the Traitors.

Yeah, I thought it deserved more than that. Really. Moving on, Madam Deputy Speaker. I think the whole House can agree that the world has become less safe. Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the instability that Trump's put into the NATO allowance has focussed minds across Europe. And we all know we now need to find a way to increase defence spending as quickly as possible. This week's The Liberal Democrats put an idea forward about the possibility of issuing defence bonds.

This would raise funds not only via the financial markets, but also allow ordinary Brits to take part. We could issue them on a fixed term basis and hypothecate them specifically to capital spending on defence, and we believe that this could help us achieve 3% of defence spending by 2030 and allow everybody to participate in the effort. Now, pension funds and investment portfolios already allow you to select the style of portfolio you would like. Sometimes people tick a box for environmental, social and governance measures and we believe that there was this UK focussed portfolio as well that many people would choose to opt in.

In fact, research suggests that Brits are even willing to see lower returns on the investment if they know that their money is going to a good cause. And going to British assets in particular. And so we wondered whether we could have a debate in government time, considering we need to build a cross-party consensus on this and just how we can get to that 3% target as quickly as possible.

11:00

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The government is absolutely committed to increasing spending on committed to increasing spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April of next year, and the government is. The Prime Minister set out his ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament. But I take the hon. Gentleman's point, because the world does appear to be a less safe place, and that means building coalitions where we need to, with our allies better and deeper coalitions with our allies, but also, of course, playing our part fully by increasing defence expenditure.

And the government is absolutely committed to doing that. In terms of the defence bonds issue, which he raises, I find that a genuinely interesting matter, and I will raise it with the Secretary of State, at least to get him response on on that ground. I, I happen to believe, Madam Deputy Speaker, that we don't debate defence enough in this House. Therefore, what we don't compared to how it might have been some time ago, and therefore I will see what prospect there is for bringing forward a defence debate in the near future in which we not just talk about what's happening in the world, but we actually look at this question of how we might best support our armed forces.

11:01

Baggy Shanker MP (Derby South, Labour )

- -

Baggy Shanker thank you. for meeting Ali Davis Marsh, the fantastic founder of Greener Littleover in Derby Green. A littleover is doing outstanding work bringing people closer to nature with initiatives such as The Great Big Green Week and outreach in our local schools. Does the Leader of the House agree that volunteer led initiatives like Green and Littleover should be recognised because they represent the best in our communities, in Derby and across the country?

11:02

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend is absolutely right to champion the work of green a little over and other organisations like them. The work done by volunteer led initiatives is admirable and represents the very best of our communities, and I hope that everyone in the House will join me in praising their commitment to protecting, enhancing and celebrating local green spaces.

11:02

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

- -

The Backbench Business Committee Bob Blackman. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In addition to the business that the leaders announced on Monday night, February, there'll be a night, February, there'll be a Select Committee statement from the Procedure Committee, the subject of which is secret. Well, that should enlighten you to, to, to to come along and listen to what's being said. It's because they they haven't yet published their. Anyway. And, and in addition, on Thursday the 26th of February, if we are allocated that date, we have offered the St David's Day in Welsh affairs debate.

So I'm sure the leader won't want to upset the leader won't want to upset the Welsh in in Westminster Hall on the let's see, the 3rd of February there'll be a debate on town and city centre safety. On Thursday the 5th of February there'll be a select committee statement on behalf of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, followed by a debate on sustainable drainage systems, followed by a debate on secondary breast cancer on the 12th of February. Sorry, on the 10th of February, there'll be a debate on the Independent Water Commission final report.

And on Thursday, the 12th of February, there will be a debate on Onshoring in the fashion and textiles industry and a debate where we're waiting for confirmation. And on the 24th of February, there'll be a debate on government support for healthcare system in Gaza. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, the leader and I had a very good meeting on Monday. I look forward to the necessary changes in standing orders, coming forward to assist the Backbench Business Committee in doing its work now in London at the moment, the Mayor of London is wrestling with a £260 million gap in finances.

When we've looked at this in examination, part of the proposals is to close police counters across London, saving about £6 million a year on further examination since the 6th of October 2023, the hate marches that have gone on across London have cost the Metropolitan Police £82 million. That in addition, of course, police have been dragged in from all over London to police these marches. The council taxpayers of London are outraged by the fact that we are having to pay to police these marches.

So when we have the debate on the police grant next week, can the leader ensure that whoever the Minister is who's answering this can actually talk about how we're going to make sure that if demonstrations are going to take place in this way, that the organisers of these demonstrations actually bear the cost of policing them, rather than the council taxpayers of London.

11:05

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his update and, as he said, a very update and, as he said, a very productive meeting earlier this week in terms of his update, he rarely leaves us with such suspense. Madam Deputy Speaker, so I look forward to what that debate is about. But in terms of not wanting to upset the Welsh, that's certainly not our intention because that's been the job of his party over the years. He raises the important matter of policing, which he often does, not least from her point of view of a constituency MP.

The 20 2627 final police funding settlement is up by 21. Up to £21 billion for the policing of a system in England and Wales, and for the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London. They will receive up to £4.1 billion of funding, which is an increase of £184.1 million. But he raises an issue of concern around marches. I will make sure that the Minister who responds introduces the the police debate on the 11th is aware of his concerns, but I'm sure he might want to be in to make those points directly to them.

11:06

Rachel Hopkins MP (Luton South and South Bedfordshire, Labour)

- -

Let's make sure questions are short. Rachel Hopkins Deputy Speaker, I welcome the record investment from this Labour investment from this Labour government to repair and renew our roads and fix potholes. With the £7.3 billion allocated to local authorities over the next four years. Following the recent Rag ratings for local authorities regarding how they're spending this money and the road conditions, I've launched a pothole survey to get feedback from my local Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituents to make sure that local voices are heard.

Would the Leader of the House join me in encouraging my constituents to fill out the survey, to give that feedback about where roads need to be improved and ensure local voices are heard?

11:07

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Leader. Absolutely, my hon. Friend, in encouraging her constituents to complete her survey. As has been complete her survey. As has been said before, those best placed to make local decisions and outline where improvements need to be made are local people. So I pay tribute to her for ensuring that their voices are heard.

11:07

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

- -

Thank you, Madam. >> Thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker. Last May, reform pushed leaflets through the doors of residents in Worcestershire saying they would cut taxes. However, this year reform led Worcestershire County Council have sought permission from the government to increase council tax by a staggering 10%. Does the Minister agree with me that this would be an inflation busting step too far for the residents of Worcestershire to shoulder? Will he rule it out, and will he make representations to the Secretary of State accordingly?

11:08

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Once again the hon. Gentleman Once again the hon. Gentleman raises. The the fact that reform over offers and then underperforms. I will draw his comments to the attention of the relevant department and make sure they hear his concerns.

11:08

Gareth Thomas MP (Harrow West, Labour )

- -

Gareth Thomas four years ago. >> That regeneration Will Stone now all in my constituency was poised. >> To begin. >> Since then, conservative cancelled.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

cancelled. Or stalled key decisions. So much needed. Affordable housing is nowhere to be seen. Council offices are closed to the public, local services have been starved of investment and Wealdstone High Street is under pressure. So could we have a debate on how to help failing councils lead regeneration initiatives better? Thank you, Madam.

11:08

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend raises a very serious matter. For raises a very serious matter. For far too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline. This government is investing in the future of our local communities, not least through the £5 billion Pride in Place programme, and we're giving local people the power to transform their communities. Should he seek a debate or indeed use the debate on the 11th on local government funding to make these points? I'm sure he will find common cause across the house, sir.

11:09

Rt Hon Sir Gavin Williamson MP (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, Conservative)

- -

Gavin Williamson. can I start off by congratulating the government on one of its policies? The launch of a UK town of culture. And often the government finds itself in a position where it has to pull its business. So I was hoping when it is in next in that position, whether it could maybe organise a debate on actually the UK Town of Culture, because Stone Town Council is putting in a bid for stone. It's a great town. It's got the Crown Wharf Theatre, one of the best food festivals anywhere in the country, and it would be a great recipient, recipient of this title.

And I hope we can maybe have a debate in government time on this issue.

11:10

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

I'm delighted, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the right hon. Speaker, that the right hon. Gentleman welcomes the Town of Culture, and I would, of course, encourage towns across the country to apply for that. We hope, of course, that it will be a huge success and I would imagine would want a debate at some point to be able to do that. He makes a very strong point for Stone. It would probably be remiss of me, Madam Deputy Speaker, to make the case for North Shields, which celebrated last year its 800th anniversary, very successfully and I understand will be putting forward its own bid.

But of course, I wouldn't mention that.

11:10

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

- -

Julie Minns. >> After which I'll be calling Steve Darling Julie Minns. Speaker the Rnib's. >> 2024 report turned out found

**** Possible New Speaker ****

2024 report turned out found that disabled. People face significant. Barriers when it comes to casting their vote. Finding echoed by the Electoral Commission in their report last year. Both of those reports informed my ten minute rule bill on this subject that I presented to this House last year. Could the Leader of the House please arrange for the Secretary of State to make a statement on improving accessibility at our polling stations for disabled people ahead of this year's elections?

11:11

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Could the government is firmly committed to supporting disabled committed to supporting disabled people's ability and right to vote? I know that the team at SG regularly meet with disability organisations to identify barriers and share good practice, develop products and promote awareness. But I will make sure that the Secretary of State has heard my hon. Friend's contribution today.

11:11

Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Steve Darling. >> Ingrid and Chandra have. >> Wreaked havoc across Devon. Whether it's flooding in Ottery Saint Mary, closure of the Dawlish Saint Mary, closure of the Dawlish rail line or having parts of our harbours and seafronts in Torbay ripped apart, Torbay Council advised me that there is more than £3.5 million of critical infrastructure damage caused by these storms. Will the Leader of the House encourage the local government Minister to open up the Bellwin scheme for local authorities like ours in Torbay?

11:12

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you very much indeed. Alongside partners. Madam Deputy Alongside partners. Madam Deputy Speaker, in the emergency services, local authorities and utility companies, we we have coordinated, coordinated a multi-agency response to prepare for and then to respond to the storm. And of course, our hearts go out to those who've been severely affected. As far as the Bellwin scheme is concerned, I will draw the hon. Gentleman's remarks Perkins.

11:12

Mr Toby Perkins MP (Chesterfield, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> Two weeks ago. >> The office for Environmental Protection announced their annual Protection announced their annual report to Parliament. The. It found that the country remains off track for the 2030 targets. It also found that this government was making good progress in some areas. But DEFRA colleagues appears to be wishing to keep their light under a bushel. We we didn't get a statement here in the House on that or on the IP plan.

So will the Leader of the House have a word with Defra colleagues and try and ensure that these important landmarks do get a statement. And in the absence of them, can we have a debate in government time on the EP report and the important environmental improvement plan?

11:13

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you very much, Madam >> Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I certainly want to start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend for all the work that he Friend for all the work that he does in this regard. He raises a very important matter, and I'm confident that DEFRA Ministers want to keep the House updated on our environmental improvement plans. We have ambitious targets, and I'll make sure that the Minister has heard my hon. Friend's request for a statement, sir.

11:13

Sir Ashley Fox MP (Bridgwater, Conservative)

- -

Ashley Fox. >> Ashley Fox. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I thank the frontline staff at the Environment Agency, Drainage the Environment Agency, Drainage Board and Council who are working hard to tackle flooding in Somerset this year. Water levels have risen faster than they did in the 20 1314 floods. Curry more used to fill in ten days this week. It filled in for communities in Fordgate and Moorland are watching nervously as water levels continue to rise. So can I ask the leader for a debate on how the Environment Agency approaches these incidents? Why are they using out-of-date trigger points to dictate their response? Why were the emergency pumps at Northmoor only operational last night? Why is the EA actively withdrawing from main river maintenance? And why are we allowing building on floodplains without proper mitigation?

11:14

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you very much, Madam >> Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Of course, for areas and people affected by flood, areas and people affected by flood, they can often be devastation. And I should say at this point that our Flood Resilience Task Force is focusing on the delivery of a flood resilience strategy and indeed investment, because these things have been neglected for too long. It's, I think, important that the hon. Gentleman started his remarks by paying tribute to the Environment Agency workers, not just in his area but across the country who are out working day in, day out to to make improvement.

But in terms of a debate, he may wish to seek a Westminster Hall debate, or I will look to see whether or not there is a time to bring forward such a debate to Jonathan Brash.

11:15

Mr Jonathan Brash MP (Hartlepool, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Whole community. >> Effort. >> And that's. >> Exactly what we're delivering in Hartlepool. Our Labour council is Hartlepool. Our Labour council is investing £1 million in its Pride in Place campaign, complementing the fantastic work of volunteers from Hartlepool Big Town. Tidy up to make a visible difference to our borough. So will the Leader of the House join with me in congratulating my constituent, 11 year old Theo Reed, a pupil at High Tunstall School, on winning a Young Litter Picker award at the Neil Hudson Memorial Awards hosted by Clean Up UK.

He embodies the spirit of Hartlepool leader.

11:15

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend is right to celebrate the community approach to keeping our towns and cities clean keeping our towns and cities clean and the dedication of environmental volunteers in that, but also to draw attention to the support that the government is giving through the Pride in Place programme, not just in terms of resources, but by the approach of putting the community in charge. And I think the whole House, Madam Deputy Speaker, will want to join me in congratulating Theo Reed for being awarded the Young Litter Picker Award because his commitment set a bright example for all of us to follow.

11:16

Victoria Collins MP (Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Victoria Collins. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. Redbourn village faces a potential 70% housing increase after this government reclassified swathes of government reclassified swathes of open land as grey belt, leaving villagers powerless against unplanned development with legitimate infrastructure and environmental concerns compounded by being next to the M1 and seven miles from expanding Luton airport. My recent question to the Minister about Greenbelt impact assessment referred me to yet another update of the National Planning Policy Framework under consultation. As councils can't pause their planning timelines, can we have a debate on government time on how members can address live planning issues during this consultation limbo before it's too late for our villagers?

11:17

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady, of course, is free to apply for her own debate, perhaps in Westminster Hall or an perhaps in Westminster Hall or an adjournment debate in which she can raise these matters, because matters of of housing and infrastructure are often raised with me. But I would gently say to her that what we are trying to do in making sure that we are updating the legislation is that we're building the houses that the country needs, and it is really important that we get on with building those, those houses.

But I will draw her remarks to the department.

11:17

Jas Athwal MP (Ilford South, Labour)

- -

Jas Athwal. some as young as 12, have told me that they face misogynistic abuse and sexual harassment in schools from boys of their similar age, and some have even told me that these experiences have gone on deaf ears with the school lead. Some often saying you should be, and I quote, you should be flattered. Will the leader please condemn such words from the school leads? And could he allow for the Secretary of State for education to lay out what steps her department is taking to tackle the scourge of misogynistic abuse in schools and academies?

11:18

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In terms of the words which the my hon. Friend has set out, of course I think most people would condemn I think most people would condemn those. He raises a really important matter, because every parent should be able to trust that their daughter, or indeed their son, is safe in school and too often toxic. Toxic ideas take hold early and go unchallenged. Our Vogue strategy, published in December, seeks to ensure that girls will be better protected from violence, but also, crucially, that young boys will be steered away from harmful, misogynistic influences.

And I'll raise my hon. Friend's concerns with the Secretary of State for education, David Mundell.

11:19

Rt Hon David Mundell MP (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Conservative)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I don't know if the leader is a keen cyclist or mountain biker, but I'm sure he will share my I'm sure he will share my excitement and that of my constituents that after the grand depart in Edinburgh, the tour de

**** Possible New Speaker ****

France will pass through Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Canonbie in my constituency. Yeah.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Yeah. And along with the forthcoming opening of the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre in. Does he agree Innovation Centre in. Does he agree with me that this will showcase the Tweed Valley as not only the best Tweed Valley as not only the best cycling venue in the United Kingdom, but also around the world?

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What an opportunity to showcase what the hon. Gentleman the gentleman is absolutely right in saying is a very beautiful part of the world. I am not, as he can probably imagine, renowned for my cycling ability or indeed history of such things. But but I know that a lot of my constituents are, and I know that a lot of people across the country are, and therefore it's a great honour actually, to to have the the course routed through his constituency.

And I wish everyone involved well.

11:20

Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)

- -

Kim Johnson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I recently met with Deputy Speaker. I recently met with unison health and care workers from Liverpool who highlighted deeply worrying reports of migrant care staff being underpaid, overworked and in some cases intimidated because their work visa is tied to their employer. This exploitation not only harms dedicated workers, but drags down standards across adult social care. In a time when we desperately need to strengthen the sector there, can the Leader of the House tell us when the government will bring forward time for a full debate on the impact of the changes to the skilled worker visa, and the implications for the ongoing exploitation and poor pay and conditions in social care and other sectors.

Thank you.

11:21

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker, >> Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker, can I say from the outset that we utterly condemn any examples of underpayment or exploitation? Care underpayment or exploitation? Care workers do a fantastic job up and down our country, and I want to put that again on record as to when we may get the opportunity to debate that. I will draw her remarks to the attention of the Secretary of State and do everything that I can to find an opportunity for her to raise these matters in a debate.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Seamus Logan. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Yesterday, in response to a question from the Member for Glasgow West, the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement in the chamber which was incorrect,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

chamber which was incorrect, misleading and disrespectful to Lord Brody. Lordship. Please be seated. I'm on my feet.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Please be seated. I'm on my feet. We do not accuse other members of misleading the House inadvertently, perhaps, but not misleading. So

11:21

perhaps, but not misleading. So perhaps you can correct the record and start his question again and keep it short. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I apologise. The Deputy Prime Minister made a statement to the chamber, which was incorrect, inadvertently misleading and disrespectful to Lord Brody, who is chairing a public inquiry into events at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. He stated that the Scottish Government was, and I quote, had sided with the health board and dismissed families who went through tragic circumstances.

That is categorically untrue, given that it was the SNP Scottish Government which set up the public inquiry and worse, it was a naked pre-election smear and an act of desperation on behalf of the Labour Party, which is struggling to make third place in the polls. Can the Leader of the House tell us what he proposes to do to put a stop to Ministers coming to the Dispatch Box and coming to the Dispatch Box and repeating falsehoods? And will he call on the Deputy Prime Minister to apologise for undermining Lord Brody?

11:22

Seamus Logan MP (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Scottish National Party)

- -

Leader. Ministers, indeed members of this House, are accurate in their comments. But as the hon. Gentleman will hear, not least from the

11:22

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

benches behind me, that this matter is one of dispute. His version of is one of dispute. His version of events is one which is disputed. I'm sure that the Deputy Prime Minister will have heard the hon. Minister will have heard the hon. Gentleman's remarks, but it's disappointing that on such an important matter, he seeks to make important matter, he seeks to make a political point about polling and about elections. I would gently

**** Possible New Speaker ****

suggest that what they do is get on with the biggest settlement that we've ever been to Scotland and spend it better. Joe Powell.

11:23

Joe Powell MP (Kensington and Bayswater, Labour)

- -

Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. A week ago, a 175 year old Thames A week ago, a 175 year old Thames Water main pipe burst led to a devastating flood in Holland Park, which has forced dozens of my constituents into temporary accommodation and caused massive damage. Those same residents were flooded in 2021 and now face months out of their homes. So Thames Water again have major questions to answer. Can the leader assure me that the government will give due consideration to strengthening the governance, oversight and accountability of Thames Water? So this doesn't keep happening to my constituents.

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the hon. Friend for his question. It sounds like an untenable situation for his constituents. The government has launched the largest ever crackdown against poorly behaving water. Companies, have already banned bonuses, secured record levels of bonuses, secured record levels of investment and introduced tougher laws. But he may wish to raise this directly with Ministers at DEFRA questions this time next week.

11:24

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Mark Pritchard.

11:24

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

- -

Over the last month, over 35,000 men. >> Women and children. >> Have been shot dead, murdered in Iran overnight, the French Iran overnight, the French government backed a move to put the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, on the EU's terrorist. The majority of those shot have been shot by operatives of the IRGC. Now, I know the government has said that it can't put the IRGC on the proscribed list because it is a state group rather than a non-state terror group.

But given what the French government and other EU governments have done, could the government at least bring forward new legislation around proscription, which brings together hybrid legislation in some way that allows the government to take action and support all those men and women that are standing for freedom and democracy in Iran.

11:25

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The government has already prescribed and sanctioned 550 organisations and individuals around the IRGC. And as he knows, around the IRGC. And as he knows, we keep these matters under constant review. I'm not sure I would characterise the position of would characterise the position of the government on the IRGC as quite as definitively as he has, but we do keep these matters under consideration. And if we're doing that and we find that the legislation is short, of course we would come back with changes to the legislation.

Speaker.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

My constituent, Mohammad, is a young man. Educated at Oakham School, hoping to go on a school trip in a couple of weeks with his trip in a couple of weeks with his classmates. His application for citizenship was received by the Home Office in November 2024, but is now eight months late, and if he is now eight months late, and if he went on this trip, it would void the application. Can the leader encourage Home Office colleagues to expedite an outcome to this delayed

11:26

Euan Stainbank MP (Falkirk, Labour)

- -

expedite an outcome to this delayed application, so that this young man can attend this vital educational trip? >> Mr. speaker, my hon. Friend gives me the details of the case. I'll make sure that the relevant department gets that information and hopefully can act in the way that he says.

11:26

Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Christine Jardine. attention. >> By an employer in my constituency, a vape manufacturer, that there are products on sale in that there are products on sale in this country from importers who are either circumventing or exploiting loopholes in the legislation to sell vapes, which are big puffs which break the regulations are rechargeable but are so cheap that they are being discarded and creating a fire hazard. Could the leader make make it possible for me to speak to a Minister about this, to see how we can address the issue?

11:27

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Yes, I will. >> Melanie Ward thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> After beaches and Burntisland and Kinghorn. >> Recently had their water.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Quality downgraded, many of my constituents will be angry that Scottish Government owned Scottish Water are hiking bills by almost 10%. Both beaches were closed for periods last summer due to pollution and people became sick from exposure to it. This is particularly galling after the chief executive of Scottish Water chief executive of Scottish Water was handed a £50,000 pay increase. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is long past time for the that it is long past time for the SNP Scottish Government to get a grip and clean up our coasts? And will he make time for a debate on will he make time for a debate on water quality?

11:27

Melanie Ward MP (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Labour)

- -

Yes. Speaker, and I would encourage my hon. Friend to apply for an adjournment debate so that she can raise these matters directly with the Minister.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Harriett Baldwin. Yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, the terminally ill adults. Bill

11:27

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

the terminally ill adults. Bill that we sent. >> To the. >> Other place. >> Is being.

11:28

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

- -

>> Scrutinised extensively, and it is reported this morning that the Parliament Act may. >> Be.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Be. Invoked to force this bill to

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Invoked to force this bill to become an act. Given that the bill was a a private member's bill and be not in the Labour manifesto, can the leader assure the House that he would not allocate government time to do this? Yes.

11:28

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I read those reports, as did, I'm I read those reports, as did, I'm sure, other members of the House. And let me say to the right hon. Lady, that the government's Lady, that the government's position has not changed. This is not a government bill. I would say, however, she started off by talking however, she started off by talking about the scrutiny of the House of Lords. They have every right to scrutinise, but I hope that they do that in a responsible way, because this House did make its position clear on the bill, and I hope that progress can be made.

Obviously, when there is what looks like an impasse or a slowdown, people will be looking for a quick round that or any route round that, to be honest. But the government position hasn't changed, which is once the Lords have completed their scrutiny, if necessary, we will find time in this place to debate those amendments because the the will of this House was very clear, and I hope without having to go down the avenues that have been described, that we will be able to resolve this matter.

11:29

Jessica Toale MP (Bournemouth West, Labour)

- -

Jessica Toale. Last Friday we launched the Bournemouth Town Centre Citizens Panel Action Plan. This was the culmination of seven months of work culmination of seven months of work of 50 local residents from all ages and backgrounds to set out a shared vision for our town and action points for the future. Now, the Citizens Panel was an effective way to meaningfully centre residents voices in in the future of our town, and so will the Leader of the House. Join me in thanking these residents who put so much time and passion into this project? And will he assure me that the government is giving due consideration to how we centre residents voices in our high streets strategy?

11:29

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for the innovative work which she and her constituents are doing, and I do praise them in are doing, and I do praise them in the way that she asked. We are supporting local businesses and our high streets with in all sorts of ways, not least through our pride in place. And as I said earlier, and indeed, consistently local people are best placed to make decisions about their local communities.

And it sounds as if my hon. Friend is helping to make that happen.

11:30

Clive Jones MP (Wokingham, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Clive Jones. Deputy Speaker. Patients, cancer charities and healthcare professionals have been calling for urgent investment in oncology to urgent investment in oncology to prevent a postcode lottery of care. Unfortunately, regional inequality exists in allowing many patients access to effective treatment or quicker diagnosis. Will the house be scheduling time to consider what funding and workforce measures are being prioritised in the National

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Cancer Plan? To address these gaps? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Gentleman raises again a really important matter, which is about the the postcode lottery that about the the postcode lottery that can exist. And of course the government doesn't want that to happen, which is why we are investing more across the NHS but also through the NHS plan, making sure that we iron out any sure that we iron out any differences that exist across the country. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the Secretary of State to see if and when he can bring forward statement on these matters, or indeed, we can have the

**** Possible New Speaker ****

debate that the hon. Gentleman requests. Barry Gardiner when will the. Government publish the full

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Government publish the full national security assessment of global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse? Number ten are ecosystem collapse? Number ten are said to have pulled the full report last autumn because it was too last autumn because it was too alarming. Given that the truncated version published last week says that every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse with irreversible loss of function beyond repair, and that it will affect national security, national prosperity, and will give rise to prosperity, and will give rise to conflict between states.

Is it not vital that this House has a duty to examine the full report, and for examine the full report, and for the government to schedule a debate about it in government time?

11:32

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, my hon. Friend raises an important matter, and I know he takes these matters very seriously indeed. I can't give him the answer which he seeks, but I can request for him a meeting with Ministers that they might explain what the plans are going forward or, if necessary, what the concerns are in difficulties. That means that they cannot proceed in exactly the way

**** Possible New Speaker ****

that my hon. Friend asks for, so if he wants that meeting, I will arrange that meeting. Alison Bennett. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm sure that Madam Deputy Speakers, constituents like mine have constituents like mine have absolute shock this morning to discover that their water bills are going to be going up 7% from South going to be going up 7% from South East Water, whilst the company is being investigated by Off.what. The being investigated by Off.what. The water industry is a failed industry. Will the leader make time for a debate on adopting the Liberal Democrat call for a mutual ownership model of the water companies?

11:33

Rachel Hopkins MP (Luton South and South Bedfordshire, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The previous government should never have allowed the water sector never have allowed the water sector to get into this state. With record levels of sewage and ageing water infrastructure, and I do understand very well why, how consumers will react to the news that their bills are going up yet again. But the government is absolutely committed to improving the situation. As I said before, calling out water companies that are under performing. I'm not sure we could promise to go as far as to accept a Liberal Democrat solution to these problems, but but I'm sure going forward there will be ample opportunity to debate these matters because water is such an important consideration for our constituents, not least because they add to the cost of because they add to the cost of living, which we are equally determined to tackle.

11:33

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Let's aim for much shorter questions and much shorter answers as well.

11:34

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

- -

Dave Robertson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. After a learning partnership runs 24 schools in the West Midlands, including six in my constituency, they are currently trying to plug a £6 million gap in their finances caused by what they characterise as an accounting error. The EU have taken nine days of strike action at schools this month, with nine more planned for February. The department's engagement with my office around this issue yesterday was excellent, but can I ask the leader if he can ensure that the relevant Minister meets with me and other affected MPs as a matter of urgency to discuss the ongoing.

11:34

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is a difficult situation for children and indeed families and teachers in Lichfield and the West Midlands in general. So I will help

**** Possible New Speaker ****

to secure the meeting which my hon. Friend asks for Andrew Rosindell. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. The leader.

11:34

Gareth Thomas MP (Harrow West, Labour )

- -

>> Of the House. >> Will be. >> Aware that. >> On. >> Monday I joined the right hon. >> Member for.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Member for. Fareham and Waterlooville at a. Huge rally in support of our

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Huge rally in support of our brave British veterans. A magnificent occasion. Organised by my hon. Friend.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Friend. The Member for Clacton. Now the message from veterans was clear Labour's plans to enable perpetual persecution of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland is diabolical. Indeed, I would say a betrayal.

11:35

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Madam Deputy Speaker, so will the leader make time for a debate about how the United Kingdom has ended up how the United Kingdom has ended up with a policy of giving legal protection to the terrorists who protection to the terrorists who killed British subjects, whilst the soldiers who protected civilians in soldiers who protected civilians in Ulster face prosecution for simply doing the job in serving Queen and country.

11:35

Rt Hon Sir Gavin Williamson MP (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, Conservative)

- -

>> Yes. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, the hon. Gentleman will know what the government is putting in place is a replacement for a system which we found, which quite frankly, was not legal, could not be enforced and therefore did not give the protection to our brave servicemen and women. He will have ample time to continue this as the Bill continues its progress. Whether his new hon. Friend, the Member for Clacton, can be bothered to be here to take part, remains to be seen.

11:36

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Yes. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School in Black Hill to see to learn about the solar for schools project, and the children schools project, and the children were really engaged in the process of learning about solar power and saving energy. And the project was funded by GB energy government from the solar for schools project. Can we have a debate in government? Time to talk about the importance of extending these projects?

11:36

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

- -

Yes. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to join her in recognising the enthusiasm of students at Saint Mary's Primary School in Black Hill, which is the place that I was born. I'm happy to hear this example of one of. This is an example of a 250 schools benefiting from our £255 million scheme to deliver new rooftop solar power for public

**** Possible New Speaker ****

buildings. And I would encourage you to apply for an adjournment raises. Rachel Gilmour.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Rachel Gilmour. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The chapel in Watford Saint Luke in my constituency is a fan favourite, my constituency is a fan favourite, but because of the decisions of this government, it is dying. They've been hit exceptionally hard They've been hit exceptionally hard by VAT in the business rates regime. I know that this is the case for many establishments in our part of the world. Many of these places the world. Many of these places rely heavily on tourism. So can the Leader of the House allocate government time for a debate on how we can better support the hospitality and tourism sector and prevent businesses from closing their doors?

11:37

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady will be aware of the The hon. Lady will be aware of the support which the government has brought forward recently for pubs brought forward recently for pubs and obviously we keep under review what other support we can give to the hospitality sector. Her concern will be shared not just on that side of the house, but by on this side of the house too. But what, furthermore can be done? And should she seek an adjournment debate, then perhaps she can air those concerns herself.

11:38

Paul Davies MP (Colne Valley, Labour)

- -

Paul Davies. Paul Waugh. Rochdale based company that has used fire and rehire tactics recently to effectively dismiss staff and then rehire them on terms which are £7,000 a year less in pay packets, and also remove their rights to paid leave. This is all despite their shareholders receiving £2 million last year. Does the leader agree that the company should even now get round the table with Usdaw trade union? And does he agree this government's new Employment Rights Act will finally outlaw fire and rehire? Give day one rights of sick pay and parental leave, and give basic rights to every worker that deserves them.

Rights that the Reform Party voted against in this House.

11:39

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Yes, leader. bringing this matter to the House. And yes, I do agree with him not only on the need to get round the table, but also the shameful table, but also the shameful approach taken by reform on these matters. This government's Employment Rights Act represents the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation. It does as he said it will, as he said, end exploitative zero hour contracts, end unscrupulous fire and rehire practices, prevent the misuse of non-disclosure agreements and strengthen statutory sick pay and the collective voice of workers.

11:39

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Vikki Slade Mr Speaker Storm Chandra, as you've already heard, as we have already heard, has left the southwest in havoc, including the southwest in havoc, including deep flooding in Dorset. Routes blocked, villages cut off even part of our historic Wimborne Minster underwater. Some residents have suggested block drains is the cause, but clearly the best flushed gullies would not cope. I welcome the reference to the upcoming flood strategy, but as weather warnings come back, can I repeat my call I made last year after the summer fires for a debate in government time and climate resilience and response so members can have their concerns heard?

11:40

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Madam Deputy Speaker, the hon. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, the hon. Lady is right to raise the concerns of her constituents and where they've been affected. I'm sorry to they've been affected. I'm sorry to hear that she has raised these matters before and should she wish to meet with the Minister and outline her experiences and experience of her constituents to see what further can be done, then I will arrange that.

11:40

Paul Davies MP (Colne Valley, Labour)

- -

Paul Davies. >> Thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker. >> We face a serious skill. sector.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

sector. Colleges across. The country are doing fantastic work to help solve this issue. My own constituency, this issue. My own constituency, Kirklees College, is a testament to the value of such institutions and I welcome the government's commitment to train 60,000 more skilled workers by 2029. But can we have a statement from the government on the steps they've taken to support institutions like Kirklees College to meet the high demand for places and close the skills gap?

11:41

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for raising I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter and welcome the vital education and training that Kirklees College provides to its Kirklees College provides to its students. The government announced a construction support package worth over £600 million to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, and that investment is a key part of our wider strategy to support our national infrastructure. But I will draw to the attention of the relevant Secretary of State.

My hon. Friend's request for a statement or for a debate.

11:41

Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Chichester, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Jess Brown-Fuller Deputy Speaker I refer members to my Register of I refer members to my Register of Interests as the chair of the APPG for Infant Feeding. In December last year, the government published last year, the government published its response to the Competition and Markets Authority as part of its Child Poverty strategy on infant Child Poverty strategy on infant formula Milk. But there was a number of recommendations that the government said no to, including restricting unverifiable, unverifiable claims on formula milk packaging.

This is a vital issue that affects parents up and down the country. So will the Leader of the House make government time to debate infant feeding, please?

11:42

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. The government the government did been appointed. The government did announce important steps forward. announce important steps forward. But obviously I'm not across the specifics that the hon. Lady refers to. So if she wants to meet with the Minister to further explore, sorry to explore, what more can be done than I will arrange that.

11:42

Douglas McAllister MP (West Dunbartonshire, Labour)

- -

Douglas McAllister. >> West Dunbartonshire. >> I have the honour of following in the footsteps of a very distinguished predecessor, Lord distinguished predecessor, Lord McFall, Lord speaker. In the other place, who steps down this week after 40 years at Westminster, he has served my community and our democracy here with great wisdom, courtesy, grace and humility. Will the Leader of the House join me in expressing our gratitude for his decades of service and send both him and his wife, Joan, our warmest wishes here.

11:42

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter, and I think I can speak for everyone across the house when I everyone across the house when I thank Lord McFall for his service and commitment to both this House and to the other place. He was a fine whip and Minister in government and a truly tremendous parliamentarian. And alongside my hon. Friend, I wish Lord McFall and his wife Joan all the best for what is to come.

11:43

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Tessa Munt thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Thank you very much Deputy Speaker. Thank you very much indeed. It's been raining hard in my constituency and across the West Country generally, and I want to pay tribute to Somerset Council, pay tribute to Somerset Council, North Somerset Council, the Internal Drainage Board and the Environment Agency for the work that they're doing. However, the land is saturated and I wanted to just point out to the Minister and Madam Deputy Speaker that if you put the water in Somerset, in that little bit of North Somerset, I represent end to end, it takes you from Mid-somerset to Singapore.

It's 8000 miles worth of waterway. So I'm going to ask the Leader of the House, please, if he could ask his colleague with responsibility for planning and housing, to insist that new housing is not built on the floodplain, because when flood ray finishes in a few years time, residents will be left high and dry. Only in terms of insurance certainly won't be their homes.

11:44

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I >> Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I join the hon. Lady in paying tribute to everyone involved in dealing with what is a traumatic situation whilst saying, as I've said previously, today we do have a said previously, today we do have a need to build houses. We also need to build them in the right place and to build them safely. So I will draw her remarks to the attention of the relevant Minister.

11:44

Chris Webb MP (Blackpool South, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Last year I the jobs fair and it shows just how strong the appetite in our town is for work skills and opportunity. On the 26th of February, I'm bringing it back bigger than ever in conjunction with the Job Centre and Blackpool Tourism Limited, we have 120 businesses offering around 2000 jobs for local residents. This event will include entry level roles, opportunities for career change and wraparound support, with employers ranging from the NHS emergency services to major local and national firms.

So will the Leader of the House join me in encouraging residents to sign up through my website to take part in this event, which aims to connect people with good jobs, local skills and training, but also give a nudge to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State next to him now, who an invite has been extended to opening this event.

11:45

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Oh well, leader. The government's growth mission is committed to securing good quality jobs for people in our local communities. And I have to say, nobody fights harder than my hon. Friend for to bring jobs into their local constituency and communities. So I do join my hon. Friend in encouraging his constituents to sign up for what sounds like a worthwhile job fair and the Second estate sitting next to me, I'm sure will have heard his remarks.

11:46

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

- -

Jim Shannon. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. 1st of February will be the fifth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, in Burma that overthrew the democratically elected civilian government and created a severe humanitarian and human rights crisis. In this context, the military regime is proceeding with elections that exclude opposition parties, criminalise criticism, disenfranchised large parts of the population. So will the Leader of the House. Please ask the Foreign Secretary to set out what steps government has taken to challenge any attempt to legitimise these elections, to press for the release of political prisoners, and to hold the military accountable for ongoing violations of human rights and freedom of religious belief.

11:46

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As he undoubtedly knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all, and we've long opposed the persecution and marginalisation faced by minorities in Myanmar. Particularly concerning is the recent religion laws, which entrenches prejudices against ethnic and religious minorities. I will ensure that the Foreign Secretary, he has his concerns, not least in the light of what he has said about elections. And I will ensure that the Secretary of State responds to the hon.

Gentleman.

11:47

Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West, Labour)

- -

Phil Brickell. I was recently contacted by one of my constituents regarding a four month delay to her daughter's provisional driving licence application related to her type one diabetes diagnosis. My constituents application remains outstanding. She's been unable to obtain an update from the DVLA or any timescale for the conclusion of her application, and my constituents mental health has now been affected by the delay, as she has lost a driving instructor and feels as though she is being treated differently due to her diagnosis.

So can the Leader of the House allow for a debate in government? Time to discuss the important issues of delays in the DVLA system, particularly for individuals with disabilities and health conditions.

11:47

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for and I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter. The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which will deliver casework system which will deliver a significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. But that medical conditions. But that perhaps comes as cold comfort to those who are still waiting in a queue. And I should he wish I would be happy to follow up this particular case with the department.

11:48

Daniel Francis MP (Bexleyheath and Crayford, Labour)

- -

Daniel Francis. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last Sunday. >> I joined the. >> Congregation at Saint Augustine's Church in Sarah Green Augustine's Church in Sarah Green to celebrate the retirement of Reverend Jim Bennett. Jim has been a long standing pillar of our community in Bexleyheath and community in Bexleyheath and Crayford, having worked for the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice for 16 years, starting as a fundraising co-ordinator, eventually becoming the chief executive, and following his retirement from that post, he took on a new career later in life following his ordination, spending over six years as the priest at Saint Augustine's Church, Slade Green.

So will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to Jim for his work in supporting my constituents across Bexleyheath and Crayford, and wish him all the very best for his retirement?

11:49

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'll certainly be delighted to join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the Reverend Jim Bennett, his work the Reverend Jim Bennett, his work at both the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice, but also at Saint Augustine's Church, has greatly contributed to his community. But also in paying tribute to the Reverend Jim Bennett. Let's also pay tribute to all the churches and church men and women across our country who are doing such an important part in our local communities.

I wish the Reverend retirement.

11:49

Josh Newbury MP (Cannock Chase, Labour)

- -

Final question by. >> Ever patient Josh Newbury. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Stafford pride is a fantastic event that brings together thousands of people every year as a celebration of the diversity that makes our county such a fantastic place. Two councillors on Staffordshire County Council awarded money from their community fund to Stafford Pride. And yet, despite all other recipients having had their funding approval for Stafford pride allocation has, we're told, been with the reform Cabinet for months. Stafford pride are taking a stand not for the money, but against what they see as institutional homophobia with the Leader of the House.

Join me in calling on reform UK Staffordshire to get on with processing this legitimate funding application. And could we have a debate on the worrying increase in discrimination against LGBT organisations by certain councils?

11:50

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

- -

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his local area. Initiatives like Stafford Pride aim Initiatives like Stafford Pride aim to honour and celebrate the LGBTQ community on an absolutely vital for our local communities. It is such a pity that reform are seeking to pursue divisive policies, and I agree with him that reform should get on with this and process the legitimate application for funding

**** Possible New Speaker ****

so that the community can get on and celebrate diversity. That is the end of business.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

That is the end of business. Questions. I'll give the front benches a moment to shuffle over.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

benches a moment to shuffle over. We come to the first statement on pensions. And I call the Secretary. Of State.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. In

11:51

Ministerial statement: Pensions Update

11:59

Mark Garnier MP (Wyre Forest, Conservative)

- -

I call the shadow Minister, Mark Garnier. Garnier. >> Well, thank you very much indeed, Madam Deputy Speaker. And can I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement? So advance sight of his statement? So as constituency MPs Madam Deputy Speaker, we will all have met many people, many campaigners from the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign group, the Waspi women, I'm sure the many members of this House will have received a large amount of correspondence on this recently and if they're anything like me, where I've had 150 emails recently about this, they will really feel the strength of opinion there is out there on this, on this thing, but it is safe to say that both our constituents and our as members of Parliament, we have been left wanting by this government.

In December 2024, the previous Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Leicester West, told this House that the government would not compensate these women. Let me remind colleagues what her rationale was, and I quote the government do not believe that paying a flat rate to all women, at a cost of up to 10.5 billion would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers money. She tried to also argue that they couldn't afford it because of holes in the government finances.

But as my right hon. Friend, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, rightfully said so, the government compensation should always be based on what is fair and just. So before getting into government, it seemed that Labour MPs did think that an injustice had been done. And let us remind our colleagues of what members of this government have said in the past. The Prime Minister himself called the situation a huge injustice. The deputy Prime Minister and justice secretary slammed the cliff edge.

He said that face Waspi women. The foreign secretary said she was fighting for a fair deal for the Waspi women. The Chancellor of the Exchequer claimed to want justice for Waspi women. Even the current Secretary of State, Madam Deputy Speaker, got in on the action, where he put out a social media post with the caption Members of Parliament campaigning for a better deal for WASPI women. Is it no wonder, therefore, that the Waspi women who were promised so much are so angry? The people who used to stand beside them have now turned against them.

If the government really believed that these women had faced a great injustice, they would have found a way to compensate them. They could have avoided a deal with Mauritius that will cost us all £35 billion, but they chose not to. They could have found savings on our country's benefit bill, but they chose not to. They had 14 years to prepare for government and are messing up by doing nothing. And that brings us to the statement from the Secretary of State today.

Isn't it convenient, Madam Deputy Speaker, that he should choose a sitting day when most MPs are not here? It's almost as if they don't want to hear the criticism from his own backbenchers. In reality, all the Secretary of State is doing is announcing that nothing has changed and that they won't be compensating WASPI women. So, Madam Speaker, I have a few questions. Given he previously campaigned for a better deal for WASPI women, does he think that today's announcement provides that better deal? Secondly, in his statement, the Secretary of State tries to argue that this is somehow our fault on this side of the chamber.

However, he forgets that the maladministration which the previous Secretary of State apologised for was committed under the last Labour government before 2010. This is something that the Ombudsman report made explicitly clear. So can the Secretary of State just hold his hands up and take accountability for these mistakes? Thirdly, and this is a really interesting point, Madam Deputy Speaker, the Secretary of State chose to mention the triple lock in his in his statement, and he chose to stay, that the state pension would go up by up to £575 this year, with an expected income rises by up to £2,100 a year by the end of this Parliament.

Now, we all know there's no cap on the triple lock. The whole there's no cap on the triple lock, but he makes a point where he says it will go by up to 2100. So is he implying that the triple lock is about to be capped? Can he confirm that he's apparently u-turning on their policy on the triple lock by imposing a cap? And finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, isn't it now just fact that this government resemble, frankly, a bunch of joyriders pulling handbrake turns in a Tesco car park when they should be a serious party of government? Their backbenchers keep being marched up the hill, only to be told to march down again.

They even take the whip away of them for having a conscience, only to be told later that Ministers are proud to support policies that were only recently sackable offences. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, does he really think this constant back and forth is fair on WASPI women? I look forward to his comments.

12:05

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Mr. Peter Dowd hon. Gentleman's response. He's right that there has response. He's right that there has been a forceful and energetic been a forceful and energetic campaign which has resulted in lots of emails and contact with members right across the House, but his government had this report from the Ombudsman. They could have taken a decision before the election. They chose not to. As with so many other issues, and perhaps the Ombudsman had an inkling of how unlikely it would be to get a decision from the government because the Ombudsman of the time made the recommendations on remedy to Parliament rather than to his government.

Now he refers to Labour, to me, to other MPs on this side of the House. I remind him we did vote against the acceleration in the rise to the state pension age that was put through by the coalition government in terms of the re-examination of the decision. I thought it was right to do, to make absolutely sure that we got this right, considering not just the 2007 report, but a whole range of evidence and documents. I have repeated the apology given by my predecessor for the maladministration that the Ombudsman found.

And as for his comments on the triple lock, there is no change in our position and the figures quoted reflect the estimates of the OBR throughout the Parliament.

12:06

Barry Gardiner MP (Brent West, Labour)

- -

I now call Barry Gardiner. Gardiner. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm sure my right hon. Friend will appreciate the enormous disappointment on this side of the House. Only two years before the House. Only two years before the general election are now. Prime Minister spoke in favour of a just settlement for WASPI women. I acknowledge what he said, that this was not contained in our manifesto. We did not make that promise in the manifesto, and it's a manifesto that we all stood on.

But he will recognise that there is a real sense of injustice that has been done to those women, and today has not remediated that.

12:07

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State. what he says, but it's important to also consider exactly what is at also consider exactly what is at issue here in the statement. There are many people who are unhappy with the rise in the state pension age, and the decision to equalise it, and this decision does not deal with that. It deals with the specific issue of how this was communicated over a specific period of time, and it is really important in this to separate those two things.

I believe, on that ground. We have considered this very carefully, very carefully, not just once, but twice now. And given this due and proper process, it is right to apologise for the maladministration. But I believe

**** Possible New Speaker ****

that the decision that we have taken on remedy and compensation is also the correct one. Liberal Democrat spokesperson

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Liberal Democrat spokesperson Steve Darling. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I must say, I met a few weeks and I must say, I met a few weeks ago with the Secretary of State, where we reflected on him being a fan of Celtic and Bruce Springsteen, fan of Celtic and Bruce Springsteen, but I wasn't aware that he was also a member of The Magic Circle. Because clearly he's trying to set

12:08

Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Because clearly he's trying to set up a number of illusions around us of issues that this is to do with and comments, when actually it is all about whether these women were communicated adequately. And I would reflect on what my right Honourable colleagues were, was stating just now is it's about injustice. And when you get elected as an MP and you're somewhat disappointed as a Liberal Democrat not to be a member of the government, that actually it is about seeking out injustice and tackling this.

And yet the Secretary of State is putting this in the too hard to do file. There are more than 3.6 million Waspi women across the UK who will feel this as if it were a punch in the stomach. They will feel utterly betrayed and they will feel betrayed because false hope was given to them in the autumn. And so those that hope has been bashed. I'd like to thank the more than 100 MPs from across the United Kingdom who supported the letter.

I coordinated calling for justice for Waspi women, but sadly this fell on stony ground. So I'd like to ask the Secretary of State what engagement did he have with the Ombudsman before coming to his final conclusions around this? And also, can he please explain further why he has chosen to ignore the recommendation of the Ombudsman to give justice to woman WASPI women and pay compensation?

12:10

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. He's certainly right about Celtic and Bruce Springsteen. My allegiance to both. But there is no illusion about the position of his party, he says with a tinge of regret that he wishes they were in government, but they were in government, and that's the point. And in 2011, they took the decision to accelerate the equalisation and the raising of the state pension age. So they were in government and were in the position of being able to take these decisions.

The heart of this is something different. It is about how these decisions were communicated and whether people really could have done something differently. Now he asks about engagement with the ombudsman. I, of course, have looked at their report. The Ombudsman, the current ombudsman, recently met the permanent Secretary. And in terms of future work, as I said in my statement, we will pick up the work that was paused on the action plan so that in future, when we are considering the state pension age, we not only consider policy, but fully consider all the aspects of communication and the period of warning things that were distinctly not done.

When that decision to accelerate the state pension age happened under his government in the coalition.

12:11

Dame Chi Onwurah MP (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, Labour)

- -

Dan Chi Onwurah, thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> The Secretary of State knows just how disappointing so many will find this statement. The WASPI find this statement. The WASPI women who feel so strongly, the injustice they have suffered, and he has set out the reasons in he has set out the reasons in principle and in practice, and I appreciate that and how a Labour government, the Labour government, will support low income pensioners. But I want to talk about the personal, you know, I suspect the Secretary of State, like me and many in this House, started full time work in his 20s and it was not physically arduous.

I think of my constituent who started work at 15, hard physical work and found herself required to continue working many years after she expected to be retired. And as her health deteriorated. What help and support can the Secretary of State offer her.

12:12

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State? >> I'm grateful to my hon. Friend and I, I'd say two things in response to the issue she raises. response to the issue she raises. It is right that as a state pension age has gone up, how that affects people will be influenced by the kind of lives that they've led, the toughness of the work that they've done. But I say to her, that's an argument about the raising of the state pension age. But and while I appreciate a lot of the correspondence has been about that, it is a different issue from the one that the Ombudsman was looking at.

And in terms of how we look after pensioners and what our policy is, that's exactly why we have Pension Credit to help lower income pensioners. It is why we put it in place in 2003, and why we have put extra effort into making sure that entitlement to that benefit is taken up by those who could have access to it.

12:13

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

- -

Mark Pritchard. Member of Parliament, and he will know Shropshire very well. And can I just say that many of my I just say that many of my constituents born in the 1950s, Waspi women, it will be very, very disappointed by today's announcement. He talks about miscommunication. Maladministration says little about compensation, of course, which means the injustice continues. He mentions an action plan. Could he give a little bit more detail on how the action plan will contribute towards assuaging some of the anger as a result? No doubt of this announcement today and disappointing announcement and what real help can be given to WASPI women in different ways, including those that aren't entitled or qualify for Pension Credit.

12:14

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State. colleague for his question. He talks about disappointment, I mean his frontbench spokesperson could his frontbench spokesperson could have, in the time allocated to him, have promised to take a different decision where the party opposite ever to return to power, and they had a chance to take a different decision when they were in power, but chose not even to respond to the report, let alone to outline what that decision might be. He asks about the action plan and specifically what it will cover.

Two things at the heart of it communications and the handling of complaints. If we are raising the state pension age over time in the country, it's important that we get the communications right. That's what we want to do in our work with the Ombudsman going forward.

12:15

Jon Trickett MP (Normanton and Hemsworth, Labour)

- -

Jon Trickett. >> Jon Trickett. >> Thank you very much. And on the position of the WASPI women, there are 300,000 in Yorkshire and 6500 are 300,000 in Yorkshire and 6500 in my constituency in Yorkshire. We believe politicians should say what they mean and mean what they say. And Labour oppose this proposal. When it was first introduced and our leading spokesman continued to say they wanted to and would deliver justice to the WASPI women. This is not justice today.

And for many, many women in my constituency and elsewhere who I've met and discussed the idea that there would be an accelerated process of the of getting to a higher pension age came like a bolt out of the blue. They had no idea this was coming so quickly. It disrupted families plans, financial structures of their lives and it was a disgrace. It introduced by the parties opposite. But the government has a chance to put this right. And I say this to the Minister.

He hasn't heard the the end of this problem or of the voice of the Wasp women, either. Yes.

12:16

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State. question. He's right to remind the House that we opposed the acceleration. We voted against it, and we opposed many policies of the coalition government and the Tory governments that were in power over the last 14 years. He's also right to say that five years notice was not enough, and that is why we opposed it in the vote. In terms of our responsibilities. Now, that is why we have put such a stress on looking after pensions, properly, maintaining the value of the basic state pension.

I outlined what that would mean for this Parliament in the statement that I gave. And for poorer pensioners, making sure Pension Credit is there and making sure that the maximum take up of that benefit is there, so that people can get access to the benefits to which they are entitled.

12:17

Rt Hon John Glen MP (Salisbury, Conservative)

- -

John Glen. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome the government's apology for the maladministration and the clarity today, but many Salisbury Waspi women will be very disappointed by the decision. I'm just wondering if the Secretary of State could say a little bit more about what options did he look at to compensate the most vulnerable and the poorest of the WASPI women? Because I recognise the enormous cost would be too much overall. But what options did he pursue? When I was in government, the option to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment was one that I resisted because of the impracticalities of doing so fairly.

What options were put to him and couldn't he have compensated the poorest, as I think many would have been sympathetic to Secretary of State?

12:18

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Madam Deputy Speaker, I have >> Madam Deputy Speaker, I have great respect for the right hon. Member and he will have considered Member and he will have considered some of these issues in government because, of course, he had long service as a Treasury Minister. I like the hon. Gentleman a lot, but I have to say he could have taken decisions on this when his party were in power in terms of in terms of the lowest income pensioners. I make two points.

The first point is to repeat what I said in my statement, which is that the problem with any flat rate scheme is it will compensate people who knew about the state pension age rising, as well as maybe those who didn't, and for lower income pensioners, that is precisely why we have pension credit, so that there is access to another benefit for pensioners who are living on particularly low incomes. We introduced Pension Credit back in 2003, and since we came back into office in 2024, we have put extra effort into making sure that it is taken up, which has resulted in tens of thousands of additional pensioners having access to Pension Credit.

12:19

Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)

- -

Liz Twist. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And I have to say, I suppose I should declare an interest as a should declare an interest as a 1950s born woman. So I do that and I must say that this is a disappointing statement, and I can only associate myself with the remarks made by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent West, which we don't always do, but but I do, and I want to take the opportunity to thank all the WASPI women who have been campaigning so hard and working so hard on this issue with many of them.

Yeah, and to the question, I suppose, is how has group.

12:20

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary? >> Well, I thank my hon. Friend and I agree with her that there must be women have, as I said, run an women have, as I said, run an energetic, sustained campaign that has made a big impact on members. And you can see that from the questions that are asked in the questions that are asked in the House today in terms of the communication, as soon as it became clear to me that there was relevant evidence which had not been shown to my predecessor, I made a decision to make this decision looking not just at that, but at a wider body of evidence.

I came to the House in November, informed the House I was going to do that, and told Mr. Speaker and the House that when I had gone through the process and reached a conclusion to that process, I would come back at the earliest opportunity and announce those conclusions to the House. And that's exactly what I'm doing today.

12:21

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Tessa Munt thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And the Ombudsman's ruling in March recommended that some women should get a payout and some women should get a payout and an apology. Now, the WASPI women in my constituency have another apology, but they've not received a penny in compensation for the maladministration found by the Ombudsman. So why has the government chosen to accept one half of the recommendations? And if I may say, I think it's probably the easy half but not the other, which literally £1000 to £2950 for each woman.

It's hardly a high cost for justice in the grand scheme of government funding considerations.

12:22

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

So I thank her for her, for her question. As I say, we do accept the finding on maladministration. But in terms of this issue of what difference earlier communications would have made, particularly to those who knew the least about the increase in their state pension age. Taking all the survey evidence in the round, it suggests that a majority of women knew the state pension age was increasing. As she asks about the up to £10 billion that it would cost for a compensation scheme and minimises the cost of that.

And I do not want to be excessively partisan today, but I do have to say that it is the easiest thing to come in here every day and call for billions for this and billions for that, and then oppose all the revenue raising measures that have to be put through in any Budget. This is not a situation where we should do that and simply add to the pattern of doing that. It is a substantial amount of money. And if we were to go down that road, we would end up compensating a significant number of women who knew that their state pension age was increasing and to whom there has been no injustice.

12:23

Mary Glindon MP (Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, Labour)

- -

Mary Glindon thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. evidence shows that the vast majority of 1950s born women already knew the state pension age was increasing. I was also 1950s was increasing. I was also 1950s born women like my hon. Friend. Does the Minister honestly think there would have been such a massive campaign over all these years by Waspi women and their supporters? If they believed this was true and did know about their pensions, and in particularly and particularly the 1954 women who were treated so unjustly by the coalition government, surely the Minister believes they do deserve compensation for that terrible shock they received back in 2011.

12:24

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Chris Hazzard. >> I thank you for her question. In terms of the evidence I considered, there is a decision document which there is a decision document which has been placed in the library of the House which sets all that out, the House which sets all that out, together with various surveys, all of which are in the public domain, that were considered in the course of me reaching this decision. I think the campaign is understandable because of the steep acceleration that was legislated for by the coalition government.

We opposed that at the time, and the lesson for the future is to give good notice and predictability in rises in the state pension age, and that is at the heart of the action plan that we are working with on the Ombudsman for the future.

12:25

Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)

- -

Kirsty Blackman. WASPI. >> Women holding boards that say we support the WASPI women holding boards that say we support compensation for the WASPI women. compensation for the WASPI women. The Minister is standing there holding his hands up, saying, I'm very sorry that the previous administration forgot to send out a letter, but we're not going to do anything about it because it wouldn't have made a difference anyway. Has he listened to the voices of WASPI women who've come to every single one of us and said, I didn't get that letter.

I did not know that the state pension age was increasing, and I found myself, like one of the backbenchers over there, said, I found myself having to work far longer in a physical job than I ever expected to, because I wasn't given the notice.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Is this the change that the Labour government promised when they came in last year? Yeah.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Yeah. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will defend to the Hill our protection of the state pension, our increases in state pension, which, as I said, in state pension, which, as I said, are £575 for the new state pension from April April, and our extra

12:26

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

from April April, and our extra help for poorer pensioners. There was a wide range of communications about this. Letters are one part of that, but they're not the only part of that. And when you take into account the survey evidence as a whole, most people knew the state pension age was increasing. And like I said to the previous questioner from the Liberal Democrats, if she wants to pledge compensation in some way, she's entitled to do that. But we have looked at the evidence in the round.

I repeat the apology for the maladministration, but I think that we've reached the right decision today.

12:26

Patricia Ferguson MP (Glasgow West, Labour)

- -

Patricia Ferguson thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement this morning. My right statement this morning. My right hon. Friend is very serious individual and his statement today was very serious, but it helpfully enumerated that the majority of pensioners on lower incomes are women, and that women make up the majority of those depending on pension credit. So the anger that WASPI women feel about this steep increase in age is very understandable. And many of these women paid what my mother used to call the small stamp, which makes their situation even more vulnerable.

However, I accept that the minister's statement is largely about the Ombudsman's decision. So can he indicate today what conversations he has had with the Ombudsman, specifically about why he made that recommendation? And also, can he tell the chamber what communication he has had with the WASPI women about his decision? Secretary of State?

12:27

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Well, Madam Deputy Speaker, we >> Well, Madam Deputy Speaker, we are often encouraged to make our statements to Parliament first. And statements to Parliament first. And that is what I have done, because when I came in November to announce that I was retaking the decision, I made that statement to Parliament first and made a pledge that day that when I'd reached a conclusion, I would come back to announce that in Parliament first. And that is, I think, the right way to communicate this.

She talks about women who paid, as she referred to the small stamp that is that is right. And that is why we've moved away from the old system to the new state pension for the future. And for the majority of pensioners on lower income, a stress, again, the importance of Pension Credit and our efforts to make sure that those pensioners are entitled to it, the majority of whom are women, take advantage of their entitlement, make the application. That is what it's there for.

It's there to help lower income pensioners.

12:28

Rachel Gilmour MP (Tiverton and Minehead, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Rachel Gilmour I have. >> Rachel Gilmour I have. >> Thousands of WASPI women. >> In my constituency, which is. >> Already a very deprived

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Already a very deprived constituency. I cannot express how angry they feel and how disappointed they feel today, and I disappointed they feel today, and I am afraid I am going to have to use strong language. This is simply gaslighting by this Labour government. They know full well it wasn't about whether the letters were sent earlier, it is whether they were sent at all. Doesn't the Minister really need to accept that point? Secretary of State?

12:29

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

I think it's. Right to. >> Focus on exactly what this is about and what it's not. And, you know, the the acceleration of the know, the the acceleration of the state pension age was something that we opposed. What the Ombudsman looked at was the specific issue of when letters were sent over a specific time period. So I feel I've been accurate in the statement that I've made today and in the future. The lesson, if we go back to the 2011 decision, should be that increases in the state pension age should be announced in good time, so that people have the chance to prepare.

That is a policy decision. It is not the decision that the Ombudsman specifically examined with regard to communication.

12:30

Melanie Onn MP (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Labour)

- -

Melanie Onn. >> Thank you very much, government h relating. >> To victims. The Coal Miners Pension. >> Scheme.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Scheme. The post postmasters in the Post Office scandal as well. And yet this situation really does seem to this situation really does seem to have been put in the too hard to deal box. Why does he think that these women should accept this outcome? And why does he think it always is? Women who seem to get such a rough end of the deal?

12:30

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Madam Deputy Speaker, the equalisation of the state pension equalisation of the state pension age I know, has produced quite a lot of opposition. I think the 2011 decision was too quick. That's why we opposed it at the time. But on the issue of compensation, to which he really refers, if we were to do this for everyone affected, we would end up or everyone in this age group, we would end up compensating a significant number of people who knew that their state pension age was increasing.

We do not think that would be the right and fair thing to do. And that's why we've reached the conclusion that I have announced today.

12:31

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

- -

Jim Shannon. >> Jim Shannon. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I must register my deep concerns on must register my deep concerns on behalf of the 5000 WASPI women in my constituency. Whether it's the Ombudsman's report and hiding, hiding behind that, that that report, as a way of saying that we can't help the WASPI women. I know there was a woman back home and speak to me every week and always asked me about this particular subject or ask me again, Jim, what's happening now? Where are we? Unfortunately, those vulnerable section of those most vulnerable elderly are disabled people who have waited all this time have have nothing.

So I need to put that on record. I can also say that. For some who listened to to the cases, as the Secretary put forward will ask the question, you know, what does that actually mean? How how does that. So I suppose my question will also be, I think the WASPI women will need some explanation. And is there some way of letting them know? And at the end, the last point that they made, and it's how the pension uplift about pension Credit and about how they can they can help.

Can I suggest one other way that perhaps, maybe government can help them people? It won't be in any way. A fallback case, but it would be something, maybe when it comes to self-assessment, and that is those who are those who are who are over a certain age, find it incredibly hard to go online and create a the whole system. And there has to be some methodology whereby those elderly people will know every penny they get in there, and for their useful will not be lost.

And the tax beforehand. There must be a methodology rather than going online which elderly people can't do, there must be a system.

12:33

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Incredibly. I remind the House that by the end of this Parliament, due to our commitment to increasing the basic commitment to increasing the basic state pension, we will be spending an estimated £30 billion a year more on the state pension. That is a testament to our commitment to maintaining the value of the basic state pension, and making sure that people have a good and decent retirement. And that, of course, is for his constituents as much as any other members constituents.

In terms of the full reasoning behind the decision, there is a full decision document which I've deposited in the library of the House today, which is available to him. And in terms of online and face to face, he's right that for this service and any other service, it's important when people are accessing a benefit that they have a range of channels through which they can do that, so that people don't lose out for the reasons that he suggested.

12:34

Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Bathgate and Linlithgow, Labour )

- -

Kirsteen Sullivan thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can I thank my right hon. Friend for his my right hon. Friend for his statement today and the repeated apology on behalf of the government. But like many members on these benches and across the House, I have long supported Waspi women women in West Lothian and in Falkirk, and may I commend them for their perseverance over many, many years. I have spoken to several women who have experienced significant, significant financial hardship and emotional and physical strain, and I shared their undoubted disappointment today.

But can I ask if he's considered the impact of this decision on the perception and indeed the efficacy of the role of the Ombudsman, which recommended that compensation be paid?

12:35

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Chris Hazzard. I'm grateful to to her for her question. In terms to her for her question. In terms of the role of the Ombudsman, we do take the role of the Ombudsman very seriously. The report was fully and very properly considered, but decisions on our compensation scheme of this scale will always, in the end, be for Ministers and government to take. And I think that's the right and understandable approach.

12:35

Douglas McAllister MP (West Dunbartonshire, Labour)

- -

Douglas McAllister thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I have no Madam Deputy Speaker. I have no doubt that my 6000 West Dunbartonshire women will be very angry with this decision. But can I ask the Secretary of State, will today's announcement mean that the legal proceedings challenging the government's original decision? Will they now continue? And what plans do we have to sit down, if any, to sit down and get round the table and try to avoid legal proceedings?

12:36

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Chris death. >> Madam Deputy Speaker, legal proceedings are initiation or otherwise won't be a decision for me and I can't predict what would happen in terms of future legal proceedings. That is a decision for others. My responsibility is to set out the decision in the proper way to Parliament, and I believe that in the statement I gave in November and the one I have given today, I've done that and given the House the reasons for that.

12:36

Samantha Niblett MP (South Derbyshire, Labour)

- -

Samantha Niblett thank you, Madam Deputy. >> Speaker, in my constituency of South Derbyshire, I have about 4000 5400 women affected by this. Not 5400 women affected by this. Not all of them know my own mum sort of shrugged her shoulders and went, oh, OK. But there are some women who do know and they'll be listening today. Really disappointed. I was very proud to put my name in campaign for the brilliant support that government offered to MPs and BC triple S, hundreds of beneficiaries in my constituency, but this does look like we're letting women of a certain age down, women who were so frequently on the back foot.

And the message really does sound like it's a little bit too dicky ticky, a little bit too tricky to address. And whilst I acknowledge that 10.3 billion is a flat rate might be not the right thing to do, is there not something we can do to acknowledge the campaigning of these women that we supported for so many years?

12:37

Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

- -

Secretary of State. >> I thank her for her question and mentioned the difficulties of a flat rate scheme. But an individual scheme also would face great scheme also would face great practical difficulties, which I set out in my statement in terms of ascertaining in each individual case who did or didn't get a letter, who can remember getting the letter, what they would have done differently, and so on. It is a great practical difficulty to do that, as well as the difficulties of a flat rate scheme.

12:38

Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)

- -

Point of order relating. >> To Scunthorpe. >> John McDonnell Point of order. >> So.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

So. Madam Deputy Speaker, this is an extremely significant matter to be announced on a Thursday, when the announced on a Thursday, when the House is usually light and its attendance, and also with limited notice, and also with a very detailed document lodged in the House of Commons library. I'd ask Madam Deputy Speaker whether, through your offices liaising with the Treasury frontbench, that time can be found over the next fortnight, that there is a full opportunity for a full and comprehensive debate on this particular issue, because I know when I get back to my constituents, there'll be very many very angry people who feel they've been let down, if not betrayed.

And it needs, I think members need the opportunity to be able to come back here and reflect the concerns of their constituents.

12:39

Judith Cummins MP (Bradford South, Labour)

- -

Yeah. I thank the hon. Gentleman, Right. order. The timing of a statement is a matter for the government. However, the Treasury Benches will have heard his point of order, and have heard his point of order, and there is also the avenue open to the right hon. Gentleman of applying for a backbench business debate. Thank you. That concludes the statement. And we now move on to the next statement, and I give the front benches a few moments to the front benches a few moments to cross over.

And, Minister.

12:39

Ministerial statement: Publication of the second Annual Statement on Prison Capacity

Thank you. prison capacity. Today, the government is publishing the second annual statement on prison capacity,

12:39

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

12:49

Nick Timothy MP (West Suffolk, Conservative)

- -

Shadow Secretary of State, Nick Timothy. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, this is my first chance to speak this is my first chance to speak about prisons as shadow Justice Secretary, and I want to get straight to the point. Prison works by taking dangerous and repeat criminals off the streets. Prison works by punishing people who have done wrong. Prison works by sending a clear message that if you're thinking of committing a crime, you will face consequences. Prison works.

So when the government produces sound plans to increase prison capacity, we will support them. But let's cut the spin from the substance in that statement, because the Minister seems to want a medal for letting criminals out of prison early. And what he said about the new prison places created since the election was utter nonsense. These places were inherited from the last government. All he and his colleagues are doing is turning up to new prisons to cut the ribbon. Millsite, Fosseway, Welland, Oakes and other prisons he didn't boast about were all set up and funded before the Minister and I were even elected to this House on the plan for 14,000 new prison places by 2031.

He pretends this is some new radical departure, but that number depends entirely on the thousands of places from new prisons and house blocks started under the last government. Let me read his answer to a question tabled by my hon. Friend, the Member for Huntingdon, since the 5th of July, 2024, and the Minister said this himself. Quotes. No new prisons have been planned or approved. It's a pity he wasn't so candid in the statements just now. And what about the milestones in reaching the new prison places? What will be the consequences if Ministers fail to reach them? Is the Minister satisfied that the planning framework as changed by this government will mean no delays in construction? How many projects have been stopped since the construction company ISG went bust? If he can't rule out delays, what is his plan B? Can he promise the public there will be no extension to Labour's early release scheme? The crime statistics out today show sex offences are up 8% and shoplifting is up by 5% compared to last year.

But with Labour sentencing policies, many of these criminals will avoid going to prison altogether. And what about the performance of the Prison Service? For all the talk of transparency today, at no point did he admit that prison officer numbers are down under this government by 468. So when he stands up, will he confirm that fact with reports today that record numbers of offenders are being recalled to prison? Will he comment on the serious allegation made by the Prison Officers Association that many criminals are breaching their probation terms so they can return to prison to sell drugs on the deportation of foreign criminals? There was another statistical sleight of hand.

Deportation numbers under this government remain roughly in line with the average of the coalition and Conservative years in office, and are lower in half of those years. That is true, but I agree that those numbers remain too low, because we should be deporting all the foreign criminals in our prisons. Can the Minister confirm this is also his aim? And can can he tell us how he will stop the European Convention on Human Rights getting in the way? Because we on this side of the House are clear, we will leave the ECHR.

And will you condemn the actions of his boss, the Justice Secretary, who in opposition, actively campaigned against the deportation of foreign rapists? And finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to ask the Minister a question in principle, he told a journalist this week quotes a pretty big chunk of the overall prison population shouldn't be in prison. His colleague Lord Timpson says only a third of prisoners should be locked up. These are my most important questions. So when he rises, he needs to answer very clearly.

Is it true? Only a third of prisoners should definitely be behind bars. And will he say very clearly that he agrees with me that prison works?

12:53

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

12:58

Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Chichester, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Liberal Democrat spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller. Jess Brown-Fuller. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This government inherited a justice system in shambles after years of system in shambles after years of conservative complacency and mismanagement, overcrowding, administrative failures and cuts to administrative failures and cuts to vital services means the Justice Department too often appears to be moving from one crisis to the next as they try and fix an entire justice system that has been broken for a long time now. We in the Liberal Democrats did welcome the long term provisions that the government has made to reduce pressure on the system, such as the presumption against short sentences and investment in capacity.

And it is clear from today's report that those provisions in the Sentencing Bill are going to have a meaningful impact on demand for prison places in coming years. But I do have some questions for the Minister today. The proportion of female prisoners serving less than 12 months is four times that of the male population. Given the presumption against custody introduced by the Sentencing Bill, can the Minister outline what, if any, work is being undertaken to consider the future? Future capacity in the prison female population estate that may be freed up due to the measures taken in Sentencing Bill.

The report also outlines government ambition to secure new land for future provision of prison builds. Can the Minister outline a timeline for this and for when currently under construction? Prison places will come online and alongside this, the prison. The Minister has laid out plans to increase the number of probation officers to 6500 by 2027. Retention of officers has been a long standing issue within the probation system, and this has been compounded in recent years by the uptake of less experienced staff.

Will the Minister set out what measures the Department will take to improve retention, and whether this government will meet the HMP staffing level of 7114 officers by the end of this Parliament. Now, the Minister has rightly said that reducing reoffending is key to easing long term pressure on the system. Education is central to that ambition, providing prisoners with the skills they need to rejoin society after their sentences end and avoid making the same mistakes again. And yet prison education is being cut, not strengthened, as the as the chair of the Justice Select Committee said.

In fact, last month, the Independent Monitoring Board wrote to the prisons Minister outlining the impact that real term cuts beyond inflation rates were having on education. So will the Minister please explain how the government expects to deliver a rehabilitative programme system and reduce reoffending, while prison boards are being forced to make dramatic cuts to education budgets?

13:01

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

Minister. >> I welcome the hon. Member's question, dealing with the issue of women prisoners. As I set out in the statement, short term sentences disproportionately affects female prisoners. My recollection of the statistic is actually that the average sentence that a female average sentence that a female prisoner faces is around seven weeks when they're sentenced to a sentence of less than 12 months, which is often completely absurd and can affect the prisoner, the family detrimentally and and not lead to rehabilitation.

So short term sentences is a massive part of what we're trying to do around that cohort. But there's also the Women's Justice Board that Lord Timpson is leading on, which is looking at provisions about how we can assist that particular cohort, who often have very particular needs on prison places. Of course, there is always market volatility, as this government knows, we're trying to build 1.5 million houses. We've got a commitment to investing in infrastructure. And that can also always be complex. And it can be too difficult at times.

And we're trying to change that. Part of having this annual statement is to make sure that any government is held to account for the prison places they've committed. We've committed to building and delivering 14,000 by 2030, and I'm confident that we will do that on probation officers. You're right to raise. Forgive me, Madam Deputy Speaker. She's right to raise the issue of retention. We are having regular conversations with relevant trade unions and, of course, meeting with probation officers on a regular basis, a very important part of my job and all justice Ministers jobs as well.

That work is ongoing, and we hope to be able to update the house shortly on it and look. On education, I understand the hon. Member's point, and we are undertaking a lot of work in this area on education, often working with the third sector. There's no point pretending that there is no fiscal pressure in the justice system at the moment. Our twin focus is on ensuring that we solve the prison capacity crisis, that we deal with the court backlog, but we will be making sure that we support educational provision in our prisons wherever possible.

13:03

Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)

- -

Kim Johnson. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I support the Deputy Speaker. I support the comments made by my hon. Friend, the Member for Hammersmith and Chiswick, when. >> He says.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

He says. That too many people in prison that shouldn't be there. And part of the problem with prison capacity is that our laws on joint enterprise mean that someone can be convicted of a serious crime without making a significant contribution to that crime, often leading to multiple people serving mandatory life sentences when only one person was guilty. Locking up multiple people result in lack of prison capacity. So does the Minister agree with me that we need urgent reform of joint enterprise laws so that only those who make a significant contribution to a crime can be found guilty?

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, my hon. Friend has been a champion on this issue for a long time. I'm on this issue for a long time. I'm very happy to meet with her and the group to discuss the complexities of that issue, because it is very

13:04

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

of that issue, because it is very complex, and I'll get my office to arrange that in due course, sir. >> Ashley Fox. >> Yeah, yeah. Madam Deputy Speaker,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Yeah, yeah. Madam Deputy Speaker, can I thank the Minister for his statement? He said that the release

13:04

Sir Ashley Fox MP (Bridgwater, Conservative)

- -

of prisoners will depend on their behaviour while inside. So can he confirm that under his definition of good behaviour, that will include mandatory attendance at education and training, which should result in reduced re-offending? And can he advise the House how he will achieve this? Given that the government will be commissioning 25% less education in the coming year? He says the reason for that is the price has increased. Well, that's because the government only contracts very large quantities contracts.

And were he to delegate those budgets to prison governors and give them the freedom to use local suppliers, the price would fall. Rather than relying on

**** Possible New Speaker ****

2 or 3 enormous providers who have the government over a barrel. Minister.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

I thank the hon. Member for his question. I'm sympathetic to the argument that he's making. We need to look at how we involve third sector private sector organisations wherever possible, and we're looking at that in terms of the looking at that in terms of the adjudication process. Clearly, that will be developed and implemented over the coming months as the

13:05

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

over the coming months as the Sentencing Act has received royal assent. But it's a welcome, in my mind, a reform based on the Texas model, which showed that they were able to close prisons, reduce crime and save the taxpayer billions of dollars, and we hope to achieve a similar outcome.

13:05

Sally Jameson MP (Doncaster Central, Labour )

- -

Sally Jameson. >> Sally Jameson. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> I remind members of my register of interests as a member of the POA, of interests as a member of the POA, and I just want to back up what the Minister said in, in in retaliation to the shadow Justice Minister. Prison can indeed work, but words Prison can indeed work, but words alone are not enough. And when you're in office, you've got to back that up with action and actually run your prison estate properly.

Because I cannot convey into words just how dangerous the overcrowding got leading up to July 24th. And I, for one, as I've said before in this House many times, will never, ever forget about that. And I think it's pretty brazen to come into this chamber now and claim all these places as a result of decisions taken in the last year of office, because those decisions should have been taken a decade before rushing it in the last year, when you literally left prisons to the point of collapse, you have no jurisdiction talking in this matter in this House today.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to thank the Minister for statement and ask if he will meet with me to discuss what more can be done to increase safety for staff in our prisons. I welcome the decision. The decision to introduce Pava into the youth estate. Another decision which was delayed by the party opposite. And I would also ask him to have a look at the national care leaver strategy, because they are grossly

**** Possible New Speaker ****

overrepresented in our prison system. And if we're going to reduce the population, that's something we need to look at in the next 12 months. Minister.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister. Thank you madam. I always welcome my hon. Friend's interventions on this issue. I would gently say to the other side, would gently say to the other side, perhaps when a former prison officer who's worked on the front line is speaking in the house, they should listen rather than chunter should listen rather than chunter and shout. I welcome what she said

13:07

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

about Pava. She will know that the justice, the then justice secretary, introduced Pava into the youth estate. It was challenged in the court and the High Court has given judgement on that last week. And there is absolutely no plans to change the current position, which under statute will be reviewing in the summer of this year. In any event, I'm very happy to meet with her in regards to care leavers and prison leavers and how we can make sure that the system properly supports offenders as they re-enter society.

13:07

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Vikki Slade thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker. >> Almost 1 in 6 of the prison population are on remand are more than 2500, which is the population than 2500, which is the population of all three prisons in Dorset, plus the prison in Wiltshire have been on remand for more than the custody time limit, including my constituent Liam. Many of these are not a flight or reoffending risk and some may be innocent. Of course, dealing with the backlog will help, but that will take time.

Curfews and tags can be used for some of these that will create space more quickly, but will require court capacity to do more bail hearings so that can be looked at. Will the

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister look at that option? Minister? The honourable. Member will know. Obviously, decisions on individual cases about decisions on individual cases about remand and bail are for our independent judiciary. She's right that fundamentally this is about the backlog in our Crown courts.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

the backlog in our Crown courts. And I look forward to the Liberal Democrats supporting legislation that will solve that issue in due course. Good luck with that.

13:08

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

>> Good luck with that. >> Lloyd Hatton. >> Thank you. >> Madam Deputy. >> Speaker, and I thank the Minister for updating the House with this important annual statement. Unfortunately, the Jailhouse Cafe, which is a fantastic rehabilitation initiative for both prisoners and ex-prisoners on Portland, is set to close its

13:08

Lloyd Hatton MP (South Dorset, Labour)

- -

doors in the next few days. Expire. The brilliant charity who run this cafe are currently not in a financial position to carry out essential repair works. The funding that they need to fix up the cafe that they need to fix up the cafe requires a ten year occupancy agreement for the cafe building, which so far they have been unable to secure. I know we can find a practical solution to this, Madam Deputy Speaker. So will the Minister work with myself and with Minister work with myself and with expire to find a simple solution that supports the Jailhouse Cafe

**** Possible New Speaker ****

reopening later this year? Minister. My hon. Friend is a brilliant champion for his constituency and in particular the cafes within it, including this one. And he's been telling me all about how important this is to the local community. I'm

**** Possible New Speaker ****

this is to the local community. I'm very happy to meet with him, and we'll do everything we can to keep this cafe open. Mark Pritchard Mr Speaker, a

13:09

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

>> Mark Pritchard Mr Speaker, a Crown Court judge in Shropshire, recently referenced the county's

13:09

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

- -

recently referenced the county's shoplifting epidemic in his statement on page six. To quote, government says more credible punishments outside prison. They include a presumption to suspend short custodial sentences for less serious offenders because we know these do not work. End quote. Does the Minister accept that shoplifting is a crime, that it is not victim free and in many circumstances, a custodial sentence might still be relevant? And despite the Sentencing Bill soon to be enacted, that the retailers and shopkeepers of Shropshire will know when they go to work in the morning.

Working hard, getting up early, going to bed late at night that the profits they make are not going to walk out of the door with somebody who's shoplifting, getting away scot free and getting a free pass from this government.

13:10

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

Minister. >> Minister. >> I was going to say I thank the intervention for my friend, but he sort of ruined it at the end. Look, shoplifting is a crime. The Home shoplifting is a crime. The Home Secretary made an announcement earlier this week about ensuring that we prosecute shoplifting. The issue about the short term sentencing is that this is presumption. But clearly we're not banning short term sentences. Short term sentences are absolutely vital in lots of cases, particularly in domestic abuse cases.

Short term, short term sentences can be vital. And also prolific offenders, which many shoplifters are.

13:11

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

- -

Tessa Munt Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome the Minister's statement. The Minister states that the number The Minister states that the number of extra prison places created since July 2024 is 2900, but can since July 2024 is 2900, but can the Minister say how many cells have been temporarily and permanently closed due to safety concerns and other maintenance issues? And can he also state what the impact his department thinks will be the the result of the Leveson review? And whether the Justice Select committee on which I sit will receive his updated modelling, which includes these reforms, and whether he's going to come and speak to the Justice Select Committee about these things.

Thank you.

13:11

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

I'm very happy to come and speak to Justice Select Committee as and when invited in terms of the fire, safety should raise an important point. Don't have the exact figures point. Don't have the exact figures to hand, but there are issues in the estate. Happy to write to the hon. Member with those figures. There are definitely issues throughout the prison estate with fire safety, of course, safety being the primary primary focus, but the effect that has on capacity more generally and maintenance in terms of the effect of Leveson's report one and two, which will be forthcoming, that will be set out, and the modelling and assessments will be set out as and when the legislation comes before the House, and I'm sure it will be Justice Select Committee as well.

Ben Obese-Jecty with.

13:12

Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)

- -

Regards to prison capacity, my understanding is that the of the 14,000 prison places that are planned, none of them are category planned, none of them are category A, so could the Minister confirm how much remaining capacity there currently is within the prison system category A? And is he confident that there'll be enough going forwards? And also with regards to ISG Construction Limited, there were 12 prison projects, including the new prison in Buckinghamshire, which were due to be delivered by ISG before it went into administration.

Both of the major project portfolio programs are working on are red rated within the within that. Can you confirm that all of those projects have now recommenced, and that there is now a new contract to delivering those 12 projects?

13:13

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

Mr. I just don't have the details, and I don't want to mislead him or the House on that particular case. He raises the issue of high security prisons. There is a particular stream of work going on at the department looking at the future of that estate, and we'll be updating the house in due course.

13:13

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

- -

Jim Shannon. thank the Minister for for his statement? Does the Minister accept that in the rush to free up space, government has missed the government has missed the rehabilitation aspect, which is essential for any real reform? How can government show prisoners a different way, teach them new skills and give them confidence in their ability to change when sentences are cut? Regardless of where we are in the rehabilitation process, bearing in mind that Northern Ireland is similar to England and Wales, reoffending is significantly higher amongst those serving short sentences, with approximately 51% of adults released from sentences of less than 12 months who reoffend within a year.

Thank you.

13:14

Jake Richards MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Rother Valley, Labour)

- -

I thank the hon. Gentleman. He said there was a rush to free up space. There was a rush to free up space because we absolutely had to. If we hadn't freed up space within If we hadn't freed up space within our prison system, the criminal justice system would have collapsed. So there definitely was a rush. He

This debate has concluded

Return to start of debate - Return to top of page